Ruling after rare televised House trial could pave way for vote to expel Florida Democrat

WASHINGTON, DC: A House Ethics subcommittee has found Florida Democratic Rep Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick guilty of 25 ethics violations following a lengthy public hearing on Capitol Hill on Friday, March 27.

The decision comes after a nearly seven-hour televised proceeding and extended deliberations by lawmakers. 

The findings mark a significant development in a multi-year investigation into allegations of campaign finance and federal funds violations. The outcome could lead to further action by the full US House of Representatives.

Ethics panel finds ‘clear and convincing’ evidence after rare public trial

The adjudicatory subcommittee of the House Ethics Committee concluded that there was “clear and convincing” evidence supporting most of the allegations against Cherfilus-McCormick.

The panel found her guilty on 25 out of 27 counts, following what was described as the committee’s first public trial in nearly 16 years.

The subcommittee, led by Michael Guest, the chair of the Ethics Committee, deliberated for several hours after the televised hearing concluded.

The proceedings stem from a three-year investigation into accusations that the Florida Democrat improperly funneled millions of dollars into her campaign and committed other campaign finance violations.

Lawmakers reviewed evidence and testimony during the hearing, which included participation from Cherfilus-McCormick and her legal counsel.

The case also involves allegations tied to the misuse of federal relief funds, though details of specific counts were not fully outlined in the panel’s public summary.

US Rep Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FLA) appears for a hearing of the House Ethics Committee on Capitol Hill on March 26, 2026, in Washington, DC. Cherfilus-McCormick is accused of stealing $5 million from FEMA and using part of it to fund her first successful run for Congress in 2021 (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Cherfilus-McCormick has denied all allegations and has pleaded not guilty in a related federal criminal case in her home state of Florida.

The Ethics Committee’s findings are separate from the criminal proceedings but could influence political consequences within Congress.

Potential expulsion vote and political reactions

The subcommittee’s decision is expected to move the case to the full Ethics Committee, which will determine what penalties, if any, should be recommended to the House.

Possible sanctions include censure, removal from committee assignments, or expulsion from Congress.

Rep Greg Steube, R-Fla, speaks during a House Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial and Administrative Law hearing on online platforms and market power at the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on July 29, 2020. The committee was scheduled to hear testimony from the CEOs of Apple, Facebook, Amazon, and Google (Photo by Graeme Jennings-Pool/Getty Images)

The development has prompted reactions from lawmakers across party lines. Greg Steube, a Republican from Florida, had previously indicated he might push for a vote to expel Cherfilus-McCormick.

Following the ruling, some Democrats also publicly called for her resignation. “You can’t crime your way into legitimate power,” said Rep Marie Gluesenkamp Perez. “Since she was found guilty, she should resign or be removed.”

When asked about the situation, the House minority leader, Hakeem Jeffries, did not directly respond to questions about whether Cherfilus-McCormick should remain in office. 

The Ethics Committee has indicated it will reconvene after a scheduled two-week recess to consider next steps and potential disciplinary measures.

The case could ultimately lead to a vote by the full House, which would determine whether Cherfilus-McCormick retains her seat.