WASHINGTON — Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Florida Democrat, resigned from Congress on Tuesday just before a scheduled House Ethics Committee hearing that could have led to a vote on her expulsion over allegations of financial crimes tied to federal disaster funds.
Her resignation came minutes before the panel convened to consider potential punishment following a lengthy investigation that found she violated multiple House ethics rules. By stepping down, Cherfilus-McCormick effectively halted the committee’s authority to proceed further with the case.
“Rather than play these political games, I chose to step away so that I can devote my time fighting for my neighbors in Florida’s 20th District,” she said in a statement, calling the ethics process a “witch hunt.”
The case centers on allegations that a health care company tied to Cherfilus-McCormick received an overpayment of about $5 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency during the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal prosecutors allege that instead of returning the funds, portions were distributed to associates who later contributed to her 2022 congressional campaign, a practice known as “straw donations,” which is illegal under campaign finance law.
The U.S. Department of Justice charged Cherfilus-McCormick and several others, including her brother and a tax preparer, in November. She has denied wrongdoing, and a federal trial is scheduled for early next year.
The House Ethics Committee had been weighing disciplinary action that could have led to a full House vote on expulsion, a rare step requiring a two-thirds majority. Only a handful of lawmakers in U.S. history have been expelled by their colleagues.
Rep. Michael Guest, a Mississippi Republican who chairs the committee, said the panel conducted a thorough and deliberate investigation. After reading her resignation letter into the record, he announced the committee no longer had jurisdiction.
Lawmakers from both parties reacted quickly. Some Democrats praised her public service, noting her historic role as the first Haitian American Democrat elected to Congress. Others avoided addressing the allegations directly.
Republicans, including Florida Rep. Greg Steube, welcomed the resignation, calling it a victory for accountability. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida said the move helped restore integrity to the institution.
The resignation narrows the already tight partisan balance in the House. Democrats now hold 213 seats, compared with 217 for Republicans, along with one independent member.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to schedule a special election to fill the vacancy. The district is considered safely Democratic, though potential redistricting could alter its political makeup.
Cherfilus-McCormick’s departure also comes amid broader scrutiny of lawmakers facing ethics investigations. In recent days, other members of Congress from both parties have announced plans to step down ahead of possible disciplinary action over unrelated allegations.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries had previously said he would allow the Ethics Committee to complete its work before taking a position. As of Tuesday afternoon, he had not publicly commented on the resignation.
The case leaves lingering questions about accountability in Congress and underscores the political and legal risks lawmakers face when under federal investigation.
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