Mace Demands Release of Congressional Sexual Harassment Records

Clear Facts

• Rep. Nancy Mace introduced a resolution demanding the House Ethics Committee release all records of sexual harassment by lawmakers
• Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell resigned after at least five women accused him of sexual misconduct, including allegations of drugging and rape
• Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales also resigned after admitting to an inappropriate sexual relationship with a staffer

Rep. Nancy Mace is calling for a complete transparency overhaul in Congress following the resignation of Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell. She has introduced a resolution demanding the House Ethics Committee release its records on sexual harassment by lawmakers, accusing the political establishment of protecting predators to preserve power.

Mace appeared on “Saturday in America” to discuss her resolution and made her position clear.

“I think there should be an avalanche of resignations. I want every single predator that’s in Congress now to be forced to resign. I don’t care how long it takes. If we can do it fast, let’s do it now, regardless of party.”

The South Carolina congresswoman’s push for accountability comes after Swalwell resigned from Congress and ended his California gubernatorial bid earlier this month. At least five women have accused him of misconduct, including Lonna Drewes, who alleges he drugged and raped her in a hotel room in 2018.

Since the allegations surfaced, journalists and political operatives have reported that Swalwell’s behavior was widely known on Capitol Hill. Mace said she wants to end the culture of silence that has protected powerful members on both sides of the aisle.

“Both parties decided that they would vote against revealing the sexual harassment records of their own party.”

“What happens is both parties will protect the other because they don’t want their skeletons out there.”

Shortly after Swalwell’s resignation, Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales also announced his resignation from Congress. He admitted earlier this year to an inappropriate sexual relationship with a staffer.

Mace said she raised concerns about Gonzales with colleagues after hearing rumors about him, adding that the resolution is meant to hold all members of Congress to the same standard.

“We need to clean up our own party because if we’re [going to] attack Democrats for their behavior, we have to be willing to acknowledge when we have someone that needs to be kicked out.”

In a statement posted Monday, Swalwell vowed to fight what he called “serious, false allegations made against me.”

“Expelling anyone from Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made, is wrong. But, it’s also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress.”

Mace’s resolution represents a bipartisan challenge to the institutional protections that have shielded congressional members from accountability. The measure would force transparency on an issue both parties have historically avoided addressing publicly.

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