Democrat Calls For Indicted Congressional Colleague to Resign

Pressure is intensifying on Florida Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick as bipartisan calls for her resignation grow following damning findings from a congressional ethics panel and a federal indictment tied to alleged misuse of taxpayer funds.

On Sunday, Jim Himes became the latest Democrat to publicly urge Cherfilus-McCormick to step down, signaling that patience within her own party is wearing thin.

“If she doesn’t resign, there will be a vote in the House. … I would hope that my colleague might avoid that outcome by choosing to resign,” Himes said on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”

The controversy stems from a sweeping ethics investigation led by the House Ethics Committee, where a bipartisan subcommittee concluded that 25 out of 27 alleged violations were proven “by clear and convincing evidence.” The findings were confirmed by Chairman Michael Guest, a Republican overseeing the probe.

The case is further complicated by a federal indictment handed down in November 2025, accusing Cherfilus-McCormick of diverting millions in COVID-era relief funds for personal and political use—including allegedly funneling money into her 2021 congressional campaign.

According to prosecutors, the charges include 15 counts tied to the misuse of approximately $5 million in funds originally allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Some of that money, investigators allege, was spent on personal luxuries, including a 3.14-carat yellow diamond ring.

The full Ethics Committee is expected to take up the case once Congress reconvenes later this month. Potential consequences range from formal censure to outright expulsion from the House—a rare but constitutionally permitted measure.

Additional Democrats, including Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, have also called for her resignation, underscoring the seriousness of the allegations and the political risk for the party.

The subcommittee’s decision followed a rare public hearing lasting more than six hours, during which members from both parties reportedly expressed skepticism toward the congresswoman’s defense.

In a joint statement, Chairman Guest and Ranking Member Mark DeSaulnier confirmed that the committee will soon determine what disciplinary action to recommend.

“Shortly after the House returns from the April recess, the full Committee will hold a hearing to determine what, if any, sanction would be appropriate for the Committee to recommend,” they said.

Cherfilus-McCormick’s attorney, William Barzee, attempted to delay the ethics proceedings, citing an upcoming criminal trial involving many of the same allegations. He argued that moving forward with the congressional process could prejudice potential jurors.

“She’s absolutely innocent. She’s looking forward to being in criminal court in order to prove her innocence, which I’m confident she’s going to be able to do,” Barzee told lawmakers, adding that any adverse findings by the House “will result in a loss of her constitutional rights.”

Among the more serious findings upheld by the subcommittee were allegations involving financial transfers connected to a for-profit healthcare company owned by members of Cherfilus-McCormick’s family. That company reportedly received millions in taxpayer funds tied to COVID-19 vaccination efforts in Florida.

House investigators also found that at least $5.7 million in federal funding was routed to a consulting firm wholly owned by the congresswoman between March 2021 and October 2022, raising further concerns about conflicts of interest and self-dealing.

Despite the influx of government funds, Cherfilus-McCormick’s reported salary from Trinity Health Care Solutions remained unchanged at $86,000 during that period—adding another layer of scrutiny to the financial arrangements.

As the legal and ethical battles intensify, the case is shaping up as a high-profile test of accountability in Congress—one that could have serious consequences not only for Cherfilus-McCormick but also for public trust in how taxpayer dollars are managed.