2 US lawmakers resign from Congrss amid sex abuse scandals

Two US lawmakers formally resigned in disgrace from Congress Tuesday amid mounting sexual abuse allegations, likely marking the end of their political careers.

Representatives Eric Swalwell, a longtime prominent Democrat, and Tony Gonzales, a Texas Republican, sought to pre-empt all-but-certain efforts from their colleagues to expel them from Congress, as well as separate investigations being led by the House Ethics Committee.

Those investigations will grind to a halt as the committee only has jurisdiction over sitting members of Congress. Both men initially denied wrongdoing, and still face ongoing legal action. Gonzales later admitted to have an affair with a staffer who later committed suicide, according to multiple reports.

Swalwell previously announced that he is ending his bid for governor of California, dropping out of a race in which he was once a front-runner as sexual abuse allegations continued to mount.

His and Gonzales' letters of resignation were read aloud on the floor of the US House of Representatives Tuesday afternoon.

"I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgement I have made in my past. I will fight the serious, false allegations made against me, however, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make," Swalwell said in his letter.

"I am aware of efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote against me and other members. Expelling anyone in Congress without due process within days of an allegation being made is wrong. But it's also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties," he added.

Another woman came forward with allegations of sexual abuse against Swalwell Tuesday, accusing him of drugging, raping and choking her in 2018.

"He raped me, and he choked me. And while he was choking me, I lost consciousness," Lonna Drewes, said during a press conference with her attorneys, according to NBC News. "I thought I died."