Republican lawmaker denies sexual misconduct claims amid ethics inquiry
Rep. Nancy Mace demands accountability for Swalwell’s sexual misconduct
Sexual misconduct allegations are rocking Capitol Hill as Rep. Nancy Mace criticizes the media and Democrats for seemingly ignoring years of rumors about Eric Swalwell. An accuser claims Swalwell drugged, raped and strangled her, leading Mace to demand the resignation of all alleged congressional predators. Mace also talks about Iran and his recent personal loss.
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A House Republican facing allegations of sexual misconduct said he welcomes the opportunity to set the record straight after the House Ethics Committee opened an investigation into the allegations.
“These are baseless allegations designed to impact the campaign run by those who want to settle old political scores,” Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “We welcome the ethics investigation because it allows facts to be put on the record, not public allegations intended to fuel media interests.”
Edwards, 65, is accused of sexual misconduct toward at least two young female employees, according to multiple reports. Axios was the first to report the existence of the ethics investigation.
The two-term MP, married since 1980, has denied any wrongdoing. Fox News Digital has not independently verified these claims.
Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., said the sexual misconduct allegations against him were “baseless.” (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
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Under House rules, lawmakers are prohibited from having sexual relations with aides under their supervision. The ban does not extend to staff members employed by other offices.
The House ethics investigation comes as Edwards faces a re-election challenge in the November midterm elections. The North Carolina Republican is a top target of the House Democrats’ campaign arm, which is backing Democrat Jamie Ager to try to flip Edwards’ seat in the red-leaning district.
Ager, a fourth-generation farmer, released a statement this week saying the allegations against his competitor could become a flashpoint in the battlefield battle.
“Corruption or abuse of power in any way is unacceptable,” Mr Ager said. “The people of Western North Carolina deserve to hear from their representative about the nature of these allegations.”
The House Ethics Committee has not yet publicly announced its investigation into Edwards, which could take months or even years unless the panel decides to dismiss the case.
A spokesperson for the House Ethics Committee declined to comment when contacted by Fox News Digital.
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., a lawmaker openly opposed to sexual misconduct in Congress, said in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital that she hopes the House Ethics Committee “will move quickly” to look into the allegations against Edwards.
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., is demanding swift accountability for misconduct, regardless of party affiliation. Mace arrives for a meeting of the House Republican caucus at the United States Capitol in Washington, DC, November 19, 2024. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
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“We stand with those who have come forward and hope that the ethics committee will act quickly and hold those who committed wrongdoing fully accountable,” Mace said. “We’ve said it all along: If you abuse your power in Congress, it doesn’t matter whether you have an R or a D next to your name, there must be consequences for your actions.”
Edwards is the latest in a string of lawmakers to face allegations of sexual misconduct this year.
Former Representatives Eric Swalwell, Democrat of California, and Tony Gonzales, Republican of Texas, resigned consecutively in April to avoid possible expulsion votes related to sexual misconduct allegations against them. Gonzales admitted to having an extramarital affair with a former aide who later died by suicide. Swalwell, who is also married, admitted an error in judgment but vigorously denied the sexual assault and rape accusations.
Meanwhile, Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., is currently under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for allegations of sexual misconduct, among other ethics violations. Mace introduced a resolution to expel the embattled lawmaker, but has yet to call a vote on the measure.
Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., is another Republican lawmaker facing misconduct allegations and an ethics investigation. (David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)
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House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and other GOP lawmakers have said they want the ethics committee to conclude its investigation before considering sanctions against the embattled lawmaker. Mills has denied any wrongdoing and has not been criminally charged.
“The corruption and misconduct in Congress runs much deeper than anyone outside of Washington knows,” Mace said Tuesday.
