An embattled Congresswoman facing decades in prison is set to take the congressional spotlight Thursday during a rare ethics trial that could ultimately lead to her expulsion from the House of Representatives.
Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) is expected to testify before the House Ethics Committee in a public hearing Thursday afternoon. The proceeding is separate from a sweeping federal indictment accusing her of stealing more than $5 million in disaster relief funds, allegedly used to finance her 2021 congressional campaign and purchase luxury items, including a large diamond ring.
Federal prosecutors also allege that Cherfilus-McCormick participated in a straw donor scheme and conspired to file a false federal tax return. She has denied all wrongdoing, pleading not guilty after being indicted in November 2025.
The Florida Democrat has repeatedly sought to delay the ethics hearing, citing the ongoing criminal case and the loss of her legal representation earlier this month. It remains unclear whether she will have an attorney present during Thursday’s proceedings.
In a statement to Fox News, Cherfilus-McCormick said she is “deeply disappointed” the bipartisan committee chose to move forward, arguing the process violates her due process rights.
“I urge the Committee to follow its own precedents and uphold fairness and not allow this process to be driven by politics or numbers,” Cherfilus-McCormick said. “I welcome the opportunity to set the record straight and challenge these inaccuracies, when I am legally able to do so.”
According to the indictment, Trinity Health Care Services — a company owned by Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother, Edwin Cherfilus — received a $5 million overpayment from the state of Florida tied to a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) COVID-19 vaccine contract. Prosecutors allege the siblings laundered the funds through multiple bank accounts rather than returning the money.
The House Ethics Committee has outlined 27 alleged violations against Cherfilus-McCormick, which are expected to be presented during Thursday’s hearing. Public ethics hearings of this kind are exceedingly rare; this will be the first such proceeding against a lawmaker since 2010.
Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) has said he plans to introduce a resolution to expel Cherfilus-McCormick regardless of the committee’s findings. Expulsion would require a two-thirds vote of the House, meaning significant Democratic support would be necessary.
“You’re in a situation where you have a sitting member of Congress who’s allegedly stolen over $5 million in taxpayer funds,” Steube told reporters Tuesday. “She should immediately resign instead of going through this process. But she’s going to force us to do this.”
Steube added that a bipartisan recommendation for expulsion from the Ethics Committee could place pressure on Democrats to support such a measure.
“If the committee in a bipartisan manner, it recommends an expulsion that puts the Democratic caucus in a very tough position because you would be undermining your own members on the Ethics Committee.”
House Democratic leadership, which has largely stood by Cherfilus-McCormick, has not said whether it would support an expulsion resolution following the hearing.
That stance has drawn sharp criticism from Republicans.
“So-called ‘Leader’ Hakeem Jeffries talks a big game on corruption, but when it’s one of his own, he suddenly loses his voice,” NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella said in a statement.
Some Republicans have also pointed to what they see as inconsistent standards, comparing the case to former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) who was expelled in 2023 before an ethics hearing or criminal conviction.
“It seems like what happened to George was just like a runaway freight train up here,” Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) said Wednesday. “They didn’t even give George an opportunity to get fully through ethics. And so this one’s been a little bit more deliberate.”
“I think going forward, how this one’s been conducted is how it should go,” Donalds added. “It should be deliberate before these kind of judgments just end up on the House floor.”
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This is what the democrats do best Lie Cheat and Steal.
I thought this was going to be about Fanny Willis but it is good to see those who have ripped off the taxpayers paying for their crimes.