Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick Leaving Congress Before Ethics Investigation

Representative Sheila Cherfilus‑McCormick announced Tuesday that she is resigning from Congress rather than face formal discipline from the House following an ethics investigation into her use of campaign funds.

In an extended statement posted to social media, the Florida Democrat criticized the internal investigation as unfair and politically motivated, saying the House Ethics Committee denied her and her recently hired attorney adequate time to prepare a defense.

"Rather than play these political games, I choose to step away," Cherfilus‑McCormick wrote.

Her decision came as members of the Ethics Committee were preparing to consider what punishment to recommend after concluding she committed 25 violations of House rules and ethical standards, including campaign finance violations. Potential penalties ranged from a reprimand or censure to expulsion.

Cherfilus‑McCormick, who was serving her third term and running for reelection in a southeastern Florida district, has denied wrongdoing and says she is not guilty of ethics violations.

House Probe Found Campaign Finance Violations

According to the Ethics Committee, the violations stemmed from how Cherfilus‑McCormick received and used millions of dollars connected to her family's health care business, which was mistakenly overpaid roughly $5 million in coronavirus disaster relief funds by the state of Florida.

Investigators said she used that money to finance her 2022 congressional campaign through an alleged network of businesses and family members, violating federal campaign finance laws and House ethics rules. The committee's two‑year investigation involved 59 subpoenas, 28 witness interviews and a review of more than 33,000 pages of documents.

Cherfilus‑McCormick declined to testify at a prior Ethics Committee hearing, citing her Fifth Amendment right against self‑incrimination. Her attorney, William Barzee, argued the committee failed to provide a fair process and should have allowed a full ethics trial, where witnesses and evidence could be presented to challenge investigators' conclusions.

Barzee clashed with several lawmakers during the proceedings, contending the panel had rushed toward judgment before the defense could fully respond.

Criminal Charges and GOP Push for Expulsion

Separately, Cherfilus‑McCormick is facing federal criminal charges accusing her of stealing $5 million in pandemic disaster relief funds and using the money for personal expenses, including the purchase of a 3‑carat yellow diamond ring. She has pleaded not guilty and says she did not commit the crimes alleged by prosecutors.

Republicans had already been calling for her expulsion, including Representative Greg Steube of Florida, who said he would move to expel her once the Ethics Committee made its formal recommendation.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, also indicated last week that expulsion was likely, telling reporters the evidence against Cherfilus‑McCormick was "indisputable" and that he believed lawmakers would reach a consensus she should be removed from office.

Cherfilus‑McCormick's supporters urged caution, warning that forcing her out would leave hundreds of thousands of constituents without representation in Congress during a critical period for Florida. In letters sent to Ethics Committee leaders, local faith leaders, union officials and community advocates asked lawmakers to consider the impact on her district.

"Our communities deserve stability. Our voices deserve to be heard. And our right to representation must be protected," one letter stated.

What Happens Next?

Under the U.S. Constitution, House vacancies must be filled by election, not by appointment. Once her resignation formally takes effect, Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis is required to issue a writ of election setting the dates for a special primary, if needed, and a special general election to choose her successor, according to federal law and Florida statutes. There is no mechanism to appoint an interim member of the U.S. House, meaning the district will remain unrepresented until voters select a new lawmaker.

Her resignation eliminates the need for the House to vote on discipline, but the political fallout could continue. Republicans have suggested Democrats might seek to counter efforts against Cherfilus‑McCormick by pushing for action against Representative Cory Mills, a Florida Republican who is the subject of a separate Ethics Committee investigation involving potential campaign finance violations, misuse of congressional resources and allegations of sexual misconduct or dating violence. Mills has denied any wrongdoing, and that inquiry is ongoing.

House Democratic leaders declined to publicly condemn Cherfilus‑McCormick as the ethics process unfolded, saying they wanted to allow the committee to complete its work before commenting on possible punishment. However, some House Democrats called on her to resign from office.

The case comes amid heightened scrutiny of lawmakers' behavior. Just one week earlier, two members of Congress-Democrat Eric Swalwell of California and Republican Tony Gonzales of Texas-resigned while under ethics investigations into alleged sexual misconduct, avoiding possible expulsion votes.

Expulsion remains the most severe punishment available to the House and is rarely used. Only six members have been expelled in U.S. history. Three were removed for supporting the Confederacy during the Civil War, two following criminal convictions, and the most recent was George Santos of New York.

Santos, a Republican freshman, was expelled after a sweeping ethics report detailed financial misconduct and he was later convicted of defrauding campaign donors. He served time in prison before receiving clemency from President Donald Trump.

Under the Constitution, expelling a member requires a two‑thirds vote of the House, a high threshold reflecting lawmakers' long‑standing reluctance to end an elected career themselves rather than leave that decision to voters.

This is a breaking news article. Updates to follow.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published April 21, 2026 at 11:07 AM.