Update: Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick announced her resignation shortly before a scheduled House Ethics Committee hearing was to begin. The hearing had been set to decide whether the committee should impose punishment following findings that she violated House rules and federal law.
By Caitlin Yilek
Washington — The House Ethics Committee had planned a public session Tuesday afternoon to consider sanctions against Democratic Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, weeks after a subcommittee concluded that most of the allegations against her were proven. She resigned moments before the hearing was due to start.
In November, the Justice Department indicted the Florida congresswoman, accusing her of diverting roughly $5 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency money to support her campaign. Cherfilus-McCormick has pleaded not guilty to 15 counts and denies any criminal conduct.
The bipartisan Ethics Committee issued a 59-page report in January saying investigators found substantial reason to believe she broke multiple federal statutes and House rules. The committee said its probe uncovered evidence consistent with the charges in the criminal indictment and additional alleged misconduct.
Investigators detailed allegedly inappropriate personal spending that they said came from FEMA funds, including purchases of jewelry from Tiffany & Co., a Tesla, designer clothing, stays at high-end hotels and a cruise.
Committee counsel warned ahead of the hearing that the 25 violations under consideration were serious on their own and that the repeated nature of the alleged conduct — plus the member’s refusal to accept responsibility — could be viewed as aggravating factors when deciding discipline.
If the full committee recommends punishment, options range from censure, fines or a reprimand to measures like removing committee assignments, reducing seniority or requiring a public apology. Expulsion is the most severe step and would require a two-thirds vote of the House; Democrats would need roughly 70 members to join Republicans to reach that threshold.
Last month, the Ethics Committee’s adjudicatory subcommittee conducted a rare public ‘‘trial’’ and determined that 25 of the 27 allegations in its report had been proven.
Republican Rep. Greg Steube of Florida said he had been waiting for the Ethics Committee process to finish before urging an expulsion vote on the House floor. House Speaker Mike Johnson called the panel’s findings ‘‘alarming’’ and said he believed the chamber should move to expel the member, noting that lawmakers facing such actions often resign before a final committee recommendation or a vote.
House Democratic leaders have declined to endorse any action until they see the committee’s formal recommendation. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democrats intend to ‘‘follow the facts and apply the relevant law without fear or favor’’ once the panel reports back. House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Pete Aguilar acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and said the party would address calls for resignation or other steps after the committee completes its work.
Jaala Brown contributed to this report.