Despite stepping down from Congress in the wake of escalating sexual scandals, two former Capitol Hill lawmakers are departing with substantial financial reserves.

Eric Swalwell, a Democrat from California who recently exited the state’s gubernatorial race and resigned from Congress, is leaving with over $288,600 in his campaign funds. His leadership political action committee, Remedy PAC, also held $32,000 as of the end of February.

Swalwell’s campaign amassed more than $7.2 million for the California gubernatorial primary. However, state regulations impose strict guidelines on how these funds can be used.

Contributions intended for the general election must be refunded, given his withdrawal before the June primary, potentially reducing the total significantly.

For the primary election funds, Swalwell has several options: he can pay off campaign debts, donate to charity, or transfer the money to other candidates or party organizations.

Any funds that remain 90 days after his election are classified as ‘surplus funds.’ These can even be allocated for legal expenses that arise directly from his activities, duties, or status as a candidate or elected official.

Given the fact that Swalwell is facing litigation in both California and New York, his legal team could walk away with a big chunk of campaign cash.

Tony Gonzales, a Texas Republican who resigned after the Daily Mail exposed a sex scandal involving his former staffer, leaves with more than $327,000 still in his campaign war chest at the end of March, according to his latest Federal Election Commission filing. 

Eric Swalwell on the campaign trail for California governor — a race he abandoned last weekend before resigning from Congress Tuesday amid mounting sexual misconduct allegations.

One of the at least five women who have accused Eric Swalwell of sexual misconduct breaks down in tears as she speaks out publicly against the now-disgraced former congressman

Texas Republican Tony Gonzales strides through the Capitol. He quit Congress after being exposed for an affair with a married staffer who later took her own life.

His Honor Courage Commitment leadership PAC held over $208,000 as of late February.

What happens next to those dollars is typically up to the former members, but the federal law notes that funds can’t be spent on personal expenses.

Both members are also presently eligible to receive their congressional pensions after serving on Capitol Hill for over 5 years. If they had faced explusion, they would not have been able to collect the windfall.

At least five women have accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct, including rape, sexual assault, and unsolicited messages and photographs.

Gonzales announced on Monday he would also step down, after the Daily Mail exposed a sex scandal involving his staffer, who later set herself on fire, resulting in her death.

Writing on X before announcing his departure, Gonzales – who had already dropped his bid for re-election said: ‘There is a season for everything and God has a plan for us all. When Congress returns tomorrow, I will file my retirement from office. It has been my privilege to serve the great people of Texas.’

He had an affair with married aide Regina Aviles, initially denying it before admitting the relationship last month. She took her own life last September. Gonzales called it a ‘mistake’ and a ‘lapse in judgment,’ adding: ‘I take full responsibility for those actions. Since then, I have reconciled with my wife, Angel. I’ve asked God to forgive me, which he has. And my faith is as strong as ever.’

Both Republican Anna Paulina Luna and Democratic Women’s Caucus chairwoman Teresa Leger Fernandez of New Mexico had called on Swalwell and Gonzales to resign or face an expulsion vote.

Representative Lauren Boebert and Senator Josh Hawley have separately announced plans to introduce legislation barring lawmakers who resign after sexual assault accusations from collecting their congressional pensions.

In a text to the Washington Examiner, Boebert said she is ‘working on bipartisan legislation to state that Members who are convicted of any felony or crimes for an offense committed while in office… are prohibited from receiving their pensions.’ 

Neither Swalwell nor Gonzales have been charged with any crimes. 

Boebert added that those who violate House Rule 18 – which prohibits members from engaging in sexual relationships with staff under their supervision – would also forfeit their pension rights.

Hawley told Fox News host Jesse Watters on Wednesday that his bill ‘would deny pensions to every member of Congress who’s convicted of a sex offense. Right now, you could be convicted and still get your pension,’ he said. ‘The only thing the government oughta be paying for for people like Eric Swalwell is a jail cell.’

Another interesting tidbit from Swalwell’s campaign finance records is the former existence of a joint fundraising committee, the ‘Swallego Victory Fund’, which was shared by Swalwell and Arizona’s current junior senator, Ruben Gallego. 

The PAC was disbanded earlier in the 2025-2026 electoral cycle, per FEC records. The PAC raised and spent just over $55,000 in the 2023-2024 cycle. 

Swalwell’s campaign records additionally reveal that he spent $2,500 on child care in the first quarter of 2026, per FEC records, as first reported by NOTUS.