Eric Swalwell resigned from Congress and ended his gubernatorial campaign in California after multiple women accused him of rape and one alleged that Swalwell drugged her prior to sexual intercourse that she did not consent to.
After Swalwell’s resignation, Arizona Congressman and House Freedom Caucus member Paul Gosar introduced the Stopping Wasteful Allowances for Lawmaker Wrongdoing and Ensuring Legal Liability (SWALWELL) Act.
Gosar announced the legislation on social media.
“Just introduced the Swalwell Act to hit back against D.C.’s culture of corruption! No more letting swamp creatures skate by at YOUR expense. Time to hold them accountable!” Gosar posted on X.
Representatives Andy Biggs of Arizona, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Tim Burchett of Tennessee, Buddy Carter of Georgia, Randy Fine of Florida, and Anna Paulina Luna of Florida immediately signed on as SWALWELL Act cosponsors.
The SWALWELL Act would ban the use of taxpayer money to settle sexual harassment complaints against members of Congress or their staff.
Between 1997 and 2021, the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights paid out $18.2 million to settle sexual harassment complaints.
Not only would the SWALWELL Act shut down this slush fund, it would also force members of Congress and their staffs to certify that they never used taxpayer money to settle sexual harassment claims and require all members of Congress and staff to pay settlements out of pocket and not reimbursements or use of campaign funds.
The SWALWELL Act would also create a searchable database where the public could look up which members of staff paid out sexual harassment settlements, the amount of taxpayer money they paid out in the settlement, and the nature of the allegation.
Gosar presented his legislation as a much needed public accounting of sexual misconduct that members of the Congress paid taxpayer money to sweep under the rug.
“For decades, the swamp in Washington, D.C., has protected its own—letting corrupt politicians bury misconduct behind closed doors while sticking taxpayers with the bill,” a press release from Gosar announcing the legislation read. “That ends now. If a member of Congress or professional staff breaks the law or abuses their position, they should pay the price themselves, not the American people, and not in secret.”
“This is about ending the two-tiered system in Washington, D.C., where politicians play by their own rules,” Gosar said. “The SWALWELL Act restores accountability, enforces transparency, and makes it clear: If you betray the public trust, you will be exposed, and you will pay for it,” the statement concluded.
