WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) resigned from the House of Representatives on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, hours before a scheduled House Ethics Committee meeting that was widely expected to recommend her expulsion.
The Florida Democrat, who represents the state’s 20th Congressional District and was serving her third term after winning a 2022 special election and reelection in 2024, had been under intense scrutiny following a sweeping House Ethics Committee investigation. The panel found her guilty of 25 violations of House rules and ethical standards, most notably for allegedly funneling approximately $5 million in COVID-19 relief and disaster aid funds to her congressional campaign and associated entities.
In a brief statement released by her office, Cherfilus-McCormick announced her immediate resignation, saying she was stepping down “to avoid further distraction to the important work of the House.” She continues to deny the allegations against her and is still facing related federal criminal charges, with her trial postponed until 2027.
UPDATE: Disgraced Democrat Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who stole $5 MILLION is on track to be EXPELLED within a FEW DAYS, per Rep. Luna
Even the DEMOCRATS have said they’ll be voting to expel her.
She’s FINISHED! pic.twitter.com/dTQ92SScaQ
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) April 18, 2026
The resignation came as Republicans, led by Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) and House Speaker Mike Johnson, prepared to force a floor vote on expulsion. A resolution (H.Res. 901) had already been introduced, and Speaker Johnson had publicly declared the case against her “indisputable.” Multiple senior Democrats, including members of the Congressional Black Caucus, had also privately urged her to step aside to spare the party an embarrassing and precedent-setting expulsion vote.
Cherfilus-McCormick’s departure marks a dramatic end to a scandal that drew bipartisan condemnation and highlighted ongoing ethics concerns in Congress. If she had been expelled, she would have become only the eighth member in U.S. history to be removed from the House by vote. A special election will now be called to fill the vacancy in Florida’s 20th District.
The full House Ethics Committee had been set to meet later today to formalize its disciplinary recommendation. That meeting has now been canceled.
SOURCES:
House Democrats prepare to abandon Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick en masse
House barrels toward rare double expulsion votes
Speaker Johnson predicts House will expel Cherfilus-McCormick, citing ‘alarming facts’
Could this be Cherfilus-McCormick’s last week in Congress?
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