Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is calling for decisive action in Congress, saying two fellow lawmakers from opposite sides of the aisle should be removed from office following a series of serious ethical allegations.
In a post Monday on X, Luna declared that Rep. Tony Gonzales and Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick “need to go,” signaling a rare bipartisan rebuke in an era often defined by partisan division. “NO means NO,” Luna wrote, adding that she would vote to expel both lawmakers.
Her comments come amid mounting scrutiny surrounding Gonzales. A report from the San Antonio Express-News alleged that during his 2020 congressional campaign, Gonzales asked a staffer for nude photos multiple times over a three-day period. The allegations add to an already developing controversy involving claims of inappropriate conduct with another staffer.
Earlier this year, Luna introduced resolutions seeking to censure Gonzales or strip him of his committee assignments. Those efforts followed accusations that he had engaged in an affair with a congressional staffer who later died by suicide. Text messages reportedly extracted from the staffer’s phone, and provided to The Hill by her widower, appear to show Gonzales continuing to request sexual material even after being told he had crossed a line.
The House Ethics Committee has opened an investigation into the allegations. While the committee has not publicly commented on every detail, its involvement underscores the seriousness of the claims now facing the Texas lawmaker.
Luna has positioned herself as an outspoken advocate on issues affecting survivors of sexual misconduct, particularly in light of ongoing public attention surrounding convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Her latest remarks reflect a broader push for accountability, regardless of party affiliation.
At the same time, Luna has sharply criticized Cherfilus-McCormick over a separate controversy involving federal funds. The Florida Democrat has been accused of improperly accepting $5 million in funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency that was directed to her family’s company.
According to findings announced in late March, an adjudicatory subcommittee of the House Ethics Committee determined that 25 out of 27 alleged ethics violations had been substantiated. While Cherfilus-McCormick has denied wrongdoing, she has also declined to fully cooperate with the investigation, missing deadlines and canceling scheduled interviews on the advice of her legal counsel, citing the possibility of federal charges.
The controversy has not only drawn criticism from Republicans but also sparked frustration within her own party. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez publicly stated that Cherfilus-McCormick should resign or be removed following the findings. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez echoed similar sentiments, suggesting she should step aside.
For many observers, the situation reflects a deeper concern about ethics and accountability in Washington. Luna’s call for expulsions highlights growing pressure on lawmakers to address misconduct swiftly and transparently.
While investigations continue and due process remains ongoing, the unfolding developments serve as a reminder that public trust can be fragile—and that maintaining it requires consistent standards, even when doing so proves politically uncomfortable.