Embattled Democratic Rep. Shella Cherfilus-McCormick announced on Tuesday that she is resigning from Congress effectively immediately ahead of an expulsion vote in the Lower House.
Cherfilus-McCormick had been found guilty by the Ethics Committee of several charges, including funneling $5 million in Covid relief funds to her congressional campaign.
The committee was set to meet Tuesday to make its disciplinary recommendations, and reports had detailed that dozens of Democrats were ready to vote for her expulsion even if that was not the body's suggestion.
The now former lawmaker has denied wrongdoing and did so again when making her announcement. "This was not a fair process. The Ethics Committee refused my new attorney's reasonable request for time to prepare my defense. By going forward with this process while a criminal indictment is pending, the Committee prevented me from defending myself. I will not stand by and pretend that this has been anything other than a witch hunt. I simply cannot stand by and allow my due process rights to be trampled on, and my good name to be tarnished," she began.
— Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (@CongresswomanSC) April 21, 2026
Cherfilus-McCormick went on to call for caution "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," she said.
Cherfilus-McCormick is now the third lawmaker to resign in a month, the others being Reps. Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales.
Swalwell had been dogged by allegations of sexual misconduct from former staff members, leading to the end of his run for governor of California.
Gonzales, on his end, admitted earlier this year to having an affair with a staff member who later committed suicide. Gonzales, who was in his third term in Congress, initially resisted calls to resign but said he wouldn't seek reelection.
However, that changed when a bipartisan effort in Congress to expel both of them gained momentum. Once it became clear that there might be enough votes to actually remove them from office, both resigned.
Another lawmaker could soon follow. Republican Rep. Cory Mills is also facing an investigation from the Ethics committee as he stands accused of financial misconduct, campaign finance violations and sexual misconduct. He is also accused of threatening to release nude videos of an ex. He has denied all of them.
