Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick announced her resignation from Congress on Tuesday, stepping down as the House prepared to vote on her expulsion this week.
The Florida Democrat had been found guilty by the Ethics Committee on multiple charges, including using $5 million in COVID relief funds for her congressional campaign. Cherfilus-McCormick has maintained her innocence throughout the process.
The committee was scheduled to meet Tuesday to recommend disciplinary action. Her departure marks the third congressional resignation in as many weeks.
The resignations come as other lawmakers face their own ethics scrutiny. Rep. Nancy Mace, a South Carolina Republican, was planning to force a vote this week to expel Rep. Cory Mills, her fellow Florida Republican, over allegations of financial misconduct, campaign finance violations, and sexual misconduct. Mills denies all charges and is currently under investigation by the Ethics Committee.
Author James Rodriguez: "When lawmakers start heading for the exits rather than face a vote, it signals the ethics reckoning in Congress is finally gaining real teeth."
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