Two US lawmakers quit over sex charges

New York

Two members of the US House of Representatives who are facing expulsion over sexual misconduct allegations have announced that they are resigning. Democrat Eric Swalwell, who was also running for governor of California, announced on X on Monday that he was resigning from Congress, even as he made a contradictory statement insisting the allegations were false, but also saying he was sorry for "mistakes in judgment".

Swalwell, who was seen as a rising star in the party, had announced on Sunday that he was suspending his campaign for governor.

Republican Tony Gonzales, who had resisted calls to quit after a staffer committed suicide amid allegations he coerced her to have an affair, also announced his intention to resign with a cryptic line, "There is a season for everything, and God has a plan for us all".

Swalwell is facing a criminal investigation in New York City, where one of the four women who have made allegations against him said he sexually attacked her at a city hotel. The other three women alleged sexual misconduct and harassment by Swalwell, who is a married father with three children.

The House Ethics Committee said that it was investigating the allegations against him, and a Republican House member had said she would bring a motion in the chamber to expel him.