Florida Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick resigns amid ethics scandal

On Tuesday, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democratic Representative from Florida, declared her immediate resignation, marking her as the third member of the U.S. House to resign within a week due to a series of ethics controversies. Her exit occurred just before a disciplinary hearing by the House Ethics Committee, which was deliberating potential sanctions related to campaign finance infractions. Cherfilus-McCormick is facing federal charges for allegedly misappropriating millions in federal disaster funds for her political gain, although she maintains her innocence and has entered a not guilty plea. She condemned the Ethics Committee's proceedings as biased, labeling it "a witch hunt" and alleging that her new attorney's request for adequate preparation time was denied. Her resignation follows those of Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales, who also departed amid distinct sexual misconduct claims, highlighting a rare bipartisan acknowledgment of the treatment of congressional staff. A Reuters photograph from Washington on Tuesday captured the House Ethics Committee hearing with her chair unoccupied.