Rep. Pramila Jayapal said she will vote to remove two House members accused of sexual misconduct, drawing a sharp distinction between her position and partisan loyalty.
The Washington Democrat told Meet the Press she plans to support expulsion proceedings against Rep. Eric Swalwell, a California Democrat, and Rep. Tony Gonzales, a Texas Republican. Jayapal cited the women who made allegations against both men as her reason for the stance.
"I am inspired by the courage and the bravery of the women" who came forward, Jayapal said, framing the issue as transcending party lines.
Jayapal's willingness to vote against a fellow Democrat signals the seriousness with which some party members view the allegations. Her announcement underscores the political risk of appearing to protect members accused of misconduct, particularly given ongoing national reckoning over sexual harassment and assault in Congress and beyond.
The dual support for expulsion from a prominent progressive voice carries symbolic weight. Jayapal has built a reputation as an outspoken member of the Democratic caucus, and her statement suggests the allegations have moved beyond factional debate within the party.
The congressional expulsion process requires a two-thirds majority vote, making bipartisan agreement necessary to remove members. Jayapal's public commitment to expelling both a Democrat and Republican reflects the procedural reality that such serious action demands broad consensus rather than party-line voting.
Her remarks on Meet the Press came as Congress grapples with how to handle misconduct allegations involving its members, a persistent problem that has prompted calls for internal reforms and stronger accountability measures.
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