Florida Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is another step closer to expulsion after the House Ethics Committee tore into her Friday.
In January, the committee released a damning report saying that they had “substantial reason to believe” that Cherfilus-McCormick had violated the law and that they were “bringing charges” against her related to campaign finance laws and regulations.
Florida Congressman Greg Steube announced at the time that he’d be filing a resolution to expel Cherfilus-McCormick from Congress.
In November, I filed a resolution to expel @CongresswomanSC following her indictment by the DOJ.
Today’s House Ethics findings detail more than two dozen counts of serious financial crimes.
When we return to Washington, I’ll call up a resolution to expel her from Congress.… https://t.co/s1NSvqxxpx
— Congressman Greg Steube (@RepGregSteube) January 30, 2026
The Ethics Committee report was based on Cherfilus-McCormick being indicted in November for stealing $5 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and using it to fund her campaign for office.
As previously reported, prosecutors alleged that she and her brother had received a $5 million FEMA overpayment in July of 2021, “while their health care company was working on a FEMA-funded staffing contract tied to COVID-19 vaccinations.”
But instead of returning the money, Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother decided to steal it by routing it “through multiple accounts” to disguise their source.
On Friday, the committee of four Republicans and four Democrats found in a ruling that McCormick has committed 25 violations of House rules and ethics standards.
“The panel’s myriad charges against Cherfilus-McCormick … ranged from using ineligible funds to finance her campaign to repeatedly filing false financial disclosure forms and seeking ‘special favors’ with recipients of earmark funding requests,” according to Fox News.
The committee will meet again sometime after Easter to discuss punishment, which Fox News notes “could be as severe as expulsion.”
🚨 FOX NEWS ALERT: Bret Baier reports: “The bipartisan ethics committee says Florida Democrats congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick committed numerous violations of house rules and standards.”
“It found she committed 25 ethics violations and will recommend a punishment in the… pic.twitter.com/l1pC9cBJkl
— TV News Now (@TVNewsNow) March 27, 2026
There’s just one problem.
“Under House rules, two-thirds of lawmakers have to agree to expel a member,” Fox News notes. “House Democratic leadership has largely stood by Cherfilus-McCormick so far.”
The latter is finally starting to change
Rep. Scott Peters told Axios that Cherfilus-McCormick’s resignation would “be easier for everyone.”
Asked if he’d vote to expel her, he added, “If someone’s misbehaved in the way she’s said to have misbehaved, I think every member of Congress, regardless of party, has to respond to that, and I think we will.”
Rep. Becca Balint said “she should resign” but added that embattled Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales “must be pushed by Republicans to resign, too.”
Even “progressive” Rep. Pramila Jayapal told Axios that Cherfilus-McCormick should resign, though she too pushed for Gonzales’ resignation as well.
You can’t crime your way into legitimate power.
Since she was found guilty, she should resign or be removed.#ethics https://t.co/cgQuhplhzF
— Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (@RepMGP) March 27, 2026
However, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has conveniently chosen to not weigh in on the matter.
“As I understand it, the Ethics Committee has one final step in their process,” he said. “I’m not going to get out ahead of the Ethics Committee process that will be completed upon our return, and then I have more to say.”
Cherfilus-McCormick has for her part long maintained her innocence despite the abundance of evidence against her.
“I reject these allegations and remain confident the full facts will make clear I did nothing wrong,” she said in January. “Until then, my focus remains where it belongs: delivering for my constituents and continuing the work they sent me to Washington to do,” she added.”
She even tried to place the race card:
🚨BREAKING: Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) says the only reason she has been indicted is because she’s black..
She was caught stealing $5 million in FEMA money.. 👀
Do you support this?
YES or NO?
IF Yes, Give me a THUMBS-UP👍! pic.twitter.com/1dKF1mPgk1
— Right Scope 🇺🇸 (@RightScopee) January 11, 2026
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
V. Saxena is a staff writer with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University. Saxena also contributes to BizPac Review.
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