Democrat Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20) has tendered her resignation effective Tuesday, 1:30 p.m. ET.
🚨@CongresswomanSC has resigned effective 1:30p today.
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) April 21, 2026
As RedState reported on March 27, the House Ethics Commission found Cherfilus-McCormick guilty on 25 of 27 ethics violations, including violating campaign finance laws after she accepted more than $5 million in FEMA funds for a family business, and then spent the bulk of that money to fund her 2022 congressional campaign.
Dive Deeper: Florida Democrat Faces Possible Expulsion From Congress After Being Found Guilty of 25 Ethics Violations
As is the stance of many a politician of late, Cherfilus-McCormick expressed outrage, cried racism, and claimed it was a witch hunt to distract from the Epstein Files. However, after the ethics verdict came out, Cherfilus-McCormick had a "come to Jesus" meeting with her Democrat caucus to get an idea of whether she had the votes to avoid being expelled.
The fact that Republican Rep. Ana Paulina Luna (FL-13) wanted her head on a platter probably added to the pressure.
BYE BYE 👋🏻 https://t.co/chPz3gUUJj
— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) April 21, 2026
Before a vote on her expulsion, Cherfilus-McCormick submitted her formal resignation letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson.
New: Here is Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick's resignation letter
— Max Cohen (@maxpcohen) April 21, 2026
SCM has concluded "it is in the best interest of my constituents and the institution that I step aside" pic.twitter.com/2AHtUbMDEm
I hereby resign my office from 119th Congress as Representative for Florida's 20th Congressional District, effective Tuesday April 21, 2026: 1:30 p.m.
It has been the honor of my lifetime to serve the people of my district. I remain proud of the work we have accomplished on behalf of our communities.
After careful reflection and prayer, I have concluded that it is in the best interest of my constituents and the institution that I step aside at this time.
I remain committed to supporting a smooth transition and ensuring continuity of service for the district.
However, on her Congressional X account, Cherfilus-McCormick once again cried foul, declaring that the process was not fair and that due process was not allowed to be fully meted out.
— Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (@CongresswomanSC) April 21, 2026
In part:
Rather than play these political games, I choose to step away so that I can devote my time to fighting for my neighbors in Florida's 20th district. I hereby resign from the 119th Congress, effective immediately.
But let me say this plainly: we should be very careful about the precedent we are setting. In this country, we do not punish people before due process is complete. We do not allow allegations alone to override the will of the people. That is a dangerous path, and one that should concern every American, regardless of party.
According to Axios, Democrats were resigned to the fact that Cherfilus-McCormick would probably need to go. Axios alludes that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries may have "encouraged" Cherfilus-McCormick to resign rather than face an expulsion vote.
Lawmakers widely expect Ethics to recommend expulsion and, granted anonymity to speak candidly about internal caucus dynamics, said it may not even matter even if party leadership gets on board.
"Even if they don't, there are still going to be enough votes," one senior House Democrat told Axios.
Another said there is "an appetite for" expulsion, adding, "Maybe that's because we're so pathetic and unproductive and we need something to do, or maybe it's because the behavior seems to keep getting worse. Either way I'm ready to go."
A third House Democrat told Axios: "Nowadays with the politics the way they are, you're going to see Democrats probably vote in favor."
The intrigue: It may not even come to that, some lawmakers predicted. Expulsion is extremely rare because members of Congress often resign if it is clear they will be pushed out anyway.
Several House Democrats told Axios they expect Jeffries to privately nudge Cherfilus-McCormick to go of her own accord rather than force Democrats to take a difficult vote.
"That's what Nancy [Pelosi] used to do, so I would imagine that he would probably want to do the same thing," a fourth House Democrat told Axios.
Said a fifth: "If you know you're going, why put yourself through that? And that's what Swalwell and Gonzales did."
As RedState reported, there has been a frenzy of activity to remove members of Congress who are in violation of the ethical standards that should be upheld by the governing body. It began with the resignations last week of Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales (TX-23) and Democrat Rep. Eric Swalwell (CA-14), and appears to be taking on an avalanche effect. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick was the latest representative to be mowed under it.
Who will be next?
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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