Indicted Democrat Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has resigned as the House Ethics Committee prepared to recommend sanctions against her on Tuesday, and Republicans stood ready to force a full House vote on her expulsion.
The Florida Democrat faces a 15-count federal indictment for allegedly stealing more than $5 million in FEMA disaster relief funds, laundering the money through her family’s healthcare company, and funneling it into her 2021 congressional campaign.
If convicted, she could spend more than 50 years in prison.
— Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (@CongresswomanSC) April 21, 2026
In a statement announcing her resignation, the disgraced Democrat said:
“This was not a fair process. The Ethics Committee refused my new attorney’s reasonable request for time to prepare my defense. By going forward with this process while a criminal indictment is pending, the Committee prevented me from defending myself. I will not stand by and pretend that this has been anything other than a witch hunt. I simply cannot stand by and allow my due process rights to be trampled on, and my good name to be tarnished.
Rather than play these political games, I choose to step away so that I can devote my time to fighting for my neighbors in Florida’s 20th district. I hereby resign from the 119th Congress, effective immediately.
But let me say this plainly: we should be very careful about the precedent we are setting. In this country, we do not punish people before due process is complete. We do not allow allegations alone to override the will of the people. That is a dangerous path, and one that should concern every American, regardless of party.
To my constituents, it has been the honor of my life fighting for you in the U.S. House of Representatives. Thank you for standing with me and fighting alongside me. This fight is far from over.”
CNN reports:
Within moments of the ethics panel gaveling in to formally determine its recommended punishment, the House clerk read Cherfilus-McCormick’s resignation into the record.
House Ethics Chairman Michael Guest noted that given the congresswoman had stepped down, the committee had lost its jurisdiction and would no longer consider sanctions against her.
Speaking to Fox News, the disgraced politician previously asserted that she will not “abandon her district.”
“For those asking whether I plan to resign, the answer is no,” Cherfilus-McCormick told Fox News. “This is not the time to abandon the district, not when they, too, are fighting for their future.”
In March, a bipartisan panel found her guilty of 25 ethics violations.
According to the Department of Justice indictment filed in November, Cherfilus-McCormick and co-defendants, including her brother, allegedly received an erroneous $5 million overpayment from FEMA for COVID-19 vaccination staffing services through her family’s company, Trinity Health Care Services.
“Using disaster relief funds for self-enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi in a press release about the charges. “No one is above the law, least of all powerful people who rob taxpayers for personal gain. We will follow the facts in this case and deliver justice.”
Instead of returning the money, they allegedly laundered it, used it for personal benefit, and directed portions into her campaign through straw donors while filing false tax returns.
Republican Rep. Greg Steube had already filed a resolution to expel her and has vowed to force a floor vote regardless of the committee’s recommendation.
Expulsion requires a two-thirds majority, a high bar that would have still needed some Democrat support.
Socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said last week she would vote to expel Cherfilus-McCormick if she does not resign.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democrats would “follow the facts,” but the Congressional Black Caucus had so far remained largely silent.
Cherfilus-McCormick has denied all wrongdoing.
In her official statement following the indictment, she called it an “unjust, baseless, sham indictment.”
“This is an unjust, baseless, sham indictment — and I am innocent. The timing alone is curious and clearly meant to distract from far more pressing national issues. From day one, I have fully cooperated with every lawful request, and I will continue to do so until this matter is resolved,” Cherfilus-McCormick said.
“I am deeply grateful for the support of my district, and I remain confident that the truth will prevail. I look forward to my day in court. Until then, I will continue fighting for my constituents.”
Her criminal trial, originally set for this month, has been delayed until February 2027.
The post BREAKING: Indicted Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick Resigns Amid House Expulsion Vote Over $5 Million FEMA Funds Scandal, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.