Rep. Anna Paulina Luna writes that Congress needs swifter penalties for sexual harassment and unethical behavior.
There is a clear gap between what members of Congress say and what they actually do. They talk about integrity and accountability, but when those values are tested (especially when it conflicts with their own party), too many choose silence, delay, or inaction. That is exactly why Congress needs to change.
Sexual harassment and unethical behavior should never be tolerated in any workplace. Yet in Congress, these issues are often managed instead of addressed. Allegations arise, concerns are discussed, and still, meaningful action is rare. Over time, this has created a system where misconduct is tolerated and even normalized.
I saw this firsthand in cases involving Reps. Eric Swalwell, D-California, and Tony Gonzales, R-Texas. The concerns about their behavior were not new. They had been known, discussed, and in some cases supported by reporting. But the system failed to respond with the urgency the situation required. That cannot continue.
What is equally concerning is how this issue extends beyond Congress and into the political networks that support it.
If accountability matters, it must be reflected in who receives a platform, not just platitudes. For some, however, that standard seems optional.
Instead of giving Swalwell a platform, I introduced resolutions to expel both him and Rep. Gonzales. I made it clear that I was prepared to force a vote if they refused to resign. Their immediate resignations soon followed.
This was not about politics, it was about accountability. When someone in public office is accused of serious misconduct or abuse of power, there must be a clear and immediate path to consequences.
The fact that action requires that level of effort shows how broken the current system is. Accountability should already be built into the process, not dependent on whether someone is willing to force the issue.
Right now, the Ethics Committee is failing in that role. Investigations are often slow, outcomes are inconsistent, and serious violations rarely lead to consequences that match the behavior. When accountability is delayed, misconduct does not stop. To the contrary, errant behavior is emboldened.
By Rep. Anna Paulina Luna
