Rep. McDonald Rivet Demands Urgent, Bipartisan Investigations Into and Consequences For Allegations Against Members of Congress

WASHINGTON- Today, Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08), along with 14 other battleground House Democrats, sent a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, urging them to conduct swift, bipartisan, and transparent investigations into four Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle over alleged ethics violations.

"The allegedly criminal behavior and abuses of power by these Members of Congress are disgusting and so obviously unacceptable. Being in Congress does not mean you get to play by a different set of rules. If anything, we should be held to a higher standard," said Congresswoman McDonald Rivet. "Allowing them to continue to serve with no consequences is exactly why hardworking people across the country have no trust in Congress. Enough is enough. The Ethics Committee needs to conduct public and thorough hearings into the allegations this week, and if they are true, we need to vote to expel them no later than next week."

The letter from the lawmakers reads, in part, "[Representatives Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Cory Mills (FL-07), and Tony Gonzales (TX-23)] each face their own various ethical or criminal allegations that raise fundamental questions about each Members' conduct and fitness to serve. We urge you to direct the House Ethics Committee to expedite their investigations into each of these matters with full transparency, including through public hearings. Where investigations have already reached conclusions, we call for prompt action. The full range of accountability measures must remain on the table, up to and including expulsion from the House. As the House returns to session this week, we urge you to take immediate action.

"Protecting the integrity of the House of Representatives is of paramount importance. Public confidence in Congress is at a historic low, but it can be earned back through public accountability. We must demonstrate that no one is above the law and that serious misconduct will result in serious consequences."

A copy of the letter can be found here. Also signed on to the letter are Representatives Susie Lee (NV-03), Mike Levin (CA-49), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), John Mannion (NY-22), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), Hillary Scholten (MI-03), Derek Tran (CA-45), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), and Marcy Kaptur (OH-09).

Last year, Congresswoman McDonald Rivet outlined her plan to combat government corruption in Washington, including reforms for Members of Congress, the White House, and the Supreme Court.