Florida congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick committed 25 ethics violations, House panel finds

Key Points:

• The House Ethics Committee found Democratic Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida guilty of 25 ethics violations, including breaking campaign finance laws, related to the misuse of approximately $5 million in COVID-19 disaster relief funds from her family’s healthcare business.
• Cherfilus-McCormick is accused of using the overpaid funds to finance her 2022 congressional campaign through a network of businesses and family members, allegations she denies; she also faces federal charges for allegedly stealing the funds and has pleaded not guilty.
• The Ethics Committee plans to recommend a punishment after Congress returns from a break, with some Republicans, including Rep. Greg Steube, indicating they may push to expel her from the House, a move requiring a two-thirds majority vote.
• Democratic leaders have so far refrained from condemning Cherfilus-McCormick, emphasizing the importance of the ethics process, though some Democrats, including Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, have called for her resignation or removal following the guilty finding.
• Cherfilus-McCormick’s case is notable as the first public House ethics hearing in nearly 15 years and follows the recent expulsion of Rep. George Santos, highlighting ongoing tensions over ethics and accountability in Congress.