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Miramar congresswoman could learn political fate on Tuesday. Here’s what to know

By Produced with AI, based on original work by Luisa Yanez
U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Miramar resident, was found responsible for 25 violations of House rules in March.
U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Miramar resident, was found responsible for 25 violations of House rules in March. Andrew Harnik Getty Images

The House Ethics Committee is set to meet Tuesday to decide how to punish Miramar U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick after finding her responsible for 25 violations of House rules.

At a 2 p.m. meeting on April 21, the bipartisan committee is expected to begin considering possible sanctions. Potential penalties range from a formal reprimand or censure to fines or expulsion from Congress.

FULL STORY: Could Miramar’s Cherfilus-McCormick be expelled from Congress? Hearing now set

Here are key takeaways:

  • The allegations: Cherfilus-McCormick is accused of receiving millions from her family’s Miramar-based health care business after Florida mistakenly overpaid it by roughly $5 million with COVID-19 disaster relief funds and using the money to fund her 2022 congressional campaign through a network of businesses and family members.
  • Criminal case: The accusations have also surfaced in a parallel Miami federal case. A grand jury indicted Cherfilus-McCormick and several co-defendants on charges of misappropriating the funds and laundering the money. That trial has been delayed until February.
  • Her response: Cherfilus-McCormick has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges and says she is not guilty of ethics violations, blaming politics for the congressional investigation.
  • Political stakes: Republicans have called for her expulsion. She is in her third term and running for reelection in Florida’s 20th District, which includes parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties. Several challengers are lining up, including Luther Campbell, frontman of the 1980s rap group 2 Live Crew.
  • Broader context: Congress this month has already called for investigations of two other members — Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., and Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas — both of whom have since resigned.
  • What’s next: Tuesday’s meeting could determine whether the panel moves forward with disciplinary action and how severe it might be, including whether the case proceeds to a vote before the full House.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.