Rep. Tony Gonzales announced Monday that he will resign from Congress, filing his retirement papers the following day. The Texas Republican's decision comes as lawmakers prepared to move forward with expulsion proceedings against him.
Gonzales acknowledged last month that he had an extramarital affair with a member of his congressional staff. The aide involved later died by suicide. The disclosure triggered calls from fellow lawmakers to remove him from office.
The timing of his resignation allows Gonzales to exit before facing a full vote on expulsion, which requires a two-thirds majority in the House. The threat of that proceeding accelerated his departure from Capitol Hill.
Gonzales, who represents a Texas district, had served in the House prior to this resignation. His exit marks another chapter in a series of departures and scandals involving congressional Republicans in recent years.
Author James Rodriguez: "Gonzales took the graceful exit rather than face the humiliation of an expulsion floor fight, but his admission of the affair and its tragic aftermath leaves a dark mark on his legacy."
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