Senate Ethics Drops Gallego Inquiry, but the Campaign-Cash Questions Aren't Over

The Senate Ethics Committee dismissed its inquiry into Sen. Ruben Gallego on Monday, finding no evidence to support misconduct allegations, but the win was overshadowed within hours by a separate federal investigation into his campaign spending.

What You Should Know

The committee’s June 26 letter told Gallego it “did not find evidence” that his actions violated federal law, Senate rules, or related standards of conduct, according to Axios. The complaint, brought by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna in April, had alleged campaign finance violations and “inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature.”

The Pressure Point

Gallego called the dismissal a vindication, saying in a statement that it “reaffirms what I have said about these accusations from the beginning: they were right-wing conspiracies peddled by far-right activists like Anna Paulina Luna, the White House, and their allies,” according to Axios. He added that he “looks forward” to an apology from Luna for “weaponizing the ethics process.” Luna responded on X that “these are not conspiracy theories” and called Gallego a “creep.”

The Receipts

Luna’s original complaint referenced an unnamed woman who allegedly wanted to come forward about an incident involving Gallego and former Rep. Eric Swalwell, who resigned from Congress in April after four women accused him of sexual assault, harassment, and rape, allegations he denies. Gallego has acknowledged a close friendship with Swalwell but denied any personal wrongdoing or knowledge of misconduct on Swalwell’s part.

What Happens Next

The ethics dismissal closes one chapter, but Axios reported the same day that Gallego is now facing a separate Justice Department investigation into his campaign spending, stemming from a whistleblower complaint. That probe, not the ethics finding, is now the more pressing question hanging over Gallego’s political future.

References: Axios