Resignation is the new escape hatch as lawmakers face expulsion

I dont know how Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick thought she had a prayer of hanging onto her seat. 

The was indicted six months ago on charges of embezzling $5 million from FEMA. She says shes innocent, but if convicted faces up to 53 years in prison.

In the past, the congresswoman would simply try to beat the prosecution in court.

But the took up the case, and granted her a delay when she lost her legal representation.

But on Tuesday, 20 minutes before the ethics panel was going to recommend her expulsion, she resigned – accusing the committee of a “witch hunt.”

This has suddenly become the default setting for legislators in trouble – you cant fire me, I quit.

Its like scrambling down the fire escape of a burning building to flee a blaze that you set yourself, all the while complaining about the smoke.

In just the last nine days, two other members of Congress pulled the same maneuver.

surrendered his seat on April 14 after mounting accusations of sexual misconduct, which he denies, despite the California Democrats repeated insistence, after dropping his gubernatorial campaign, that he would not resign.

That same day, Texas Republican Tony Gonzales, who text messages showed having an affair with staffer Regina Santos-Aviles, vowed to keep his seat, even after she tragically committed suicide.

Both men bailed in the face of virtually guaranteed expulsion.

When these lawmakers quit, the Ethics Committee automatically loses jurisdiction, like the wave of a magic wand.

Its not that anyone is fooled. Every story says they acted to avoid the official disgrace of being kicked out of Congress. But in the history books it just goes down as a resignation.

This is a sea change, and I suppose you could argue the result is the same. Far too often in the past, the bipartisan ethics panel has dragged its feet, done nothing or suggested only a mild sanction.

Cherfulis-McCormick, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, won a special election to represent parts of Floridas Palm Beach and Broward counties.

The charges, which date to the pandemic in 2021, say Cherfilus-McCormick received federal disaster funds meant to at the healthcare company owned by her family. Within two months, the indictment says, more than $100,000 was spent to buy her a 3-carat diamond ring.   

The lawmaker was also charged with hiding personal expenses and political spending by listing them as charitable contributions and business deductions. Her brother and two aides were also named in the indictment, which included money laundering, false tax returns and listing donations from straw donors.

Cherfilus-McCormick dismissed what she called “an unjust, baseless, sham indictment” – and vowed not to resign. Until she did.

And the exodus may not be over. The Ethics Committee voted on Tuesday to investigate Florida Republican Cory Mills. 

The allegations, according to the panel: Violating campaign finance laws in his 2022 and 2024 campaigns. Filing false reports with Congress. Soliciting and receiving improper gifts. Misusing government resources. And accusations of “sexual misconduct and/or dating violence.”

“I dont plan to resign. Were going to seek reelection,” Mills told reporters, adding that he is cooperating.

Theres a hefty dose of partisan politics in the closely divided House. The departures of Swalwell, Gonzales and Cherfilus-McCormick means and one Republican have been ousted. The Dems would love to even the score.

Speaker Mike Johnson, who pushed hard to expel Cherfilus-McCormick, has refused to criticize Mills. 

A state judge issued a restraining order against Mills last fall after a beauty contest winner who says she lived with him when he was in Florida alleged that he threatened to blackmail her by releasing images of them having sex. Mills called the accusation false and blamed it on a political opponent.

Republica