Watch live: House Ethics panel examines Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick FEMA fraud allegations

The Hill
by The Hill Staff
March 26, 2026
3 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

House Ethics Committee holds public hearing into allegations that Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick stole $5 million from FEMA.

AI Summary

The House Ethics Committee is holding a rare public hearing Thursday to examine allegations that Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) stole $5 million from a Federal Emergency Management Fund account and diverted part of it to finance her successful 2022 congressional campaign. The hearing puts Democratic leadership in a difficult position, as the party has built its political messaging around anti-corruption efforts and ethical governance. Public ethics hearings are uncommon and typically reserved for the most serious misconduct allegations, signaling the severity of the charges against the Florida congresswoman. The outcome could affect both Cherfilus-McCormick's political future and Democratic messaging heading into the 2026 midterms.

What's Being Done

The House Ethics Committee is conducting a public hearing examining allegations that Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) stole $5 million from the Federal Emergency Management Fund and used it to fund her 2022 congressional campaign.

Source Coverage Map

4 of 43 tracked sources covered this story

Overlooked Story
9% coverage
Did Not Cover (39)
ICIJ97AP News96AP US News96AP Top News96ProPublica95+34 more

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

House Democrats face impending dam break on Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick
Politics

House Democrats face impending dam break on Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick

<p>House Democrats say privately that they may be unable to maintain their silence much longer on the explosive allegations of misuse of taxpayer funds against Rep. <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/03/cherfilus-mccormick-house-ethics-hearing-lawyer" target="_blank">Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick</a> (D-Fla.).</p><p><strong>Why it matters: </strong>Cherfilus-McCormick, who has denied any wrongdoing, may face calls for resignation or even expulsion from her own party if the Ethics Committee process goes as many of her colleagues expect it to.</p><hr><ul><li>House Democratic leadership has thus far maintained that they will defend Cherfilus-McCormick's right to remain in Congress until she gets full due process before the panel.</li><li>But there is growing discomfort with her continued presence in the caucus, given the severe nature of the allegations, centered on the charge that she fraudulently funneled $5 million in FEMA funds to her campaign.</li><li>A Cherfilus-McCormick spokes...

AxiosMar 25
Watch live: Trump addresses House Republicans at annual NRCC dinner
Politics

Watch live: Trump addresses House Republicans at annual NRCC dinner

President Trump on Wednesday evening will address House Republicans, supporters and donors at the annual National Republican Congressional Committee fundraising dinner. The event, held at Union Station in Washington, will give Trump another chance to sell his agenda ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. It also comes as GOP lawmakers face calls to find common…

The HillMar 25
House Dem accused of stealing FEMA funds set to face rare ethics "trial"
Politics

House Dem accused of stealing FEMA funds set to face rare ethics "trial"

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida is accused of using part of the $5 million to bolster her campaign and on luxury goods.

CBS NewsMar 26
US House panels to consider sweeping aviation safety reforms - Reuters
Politics

US House panels to consider sweeping aviation safety reforms - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipAFBVV95cUxQSkZySjR4ajVRMUxkZndiNkNzQmZndV83Zi0tbGZ3Z2ZmWWVsU0JvTjJNWVpsWEJJUTVPeGFNUzZwVXVyMFFMYnFPcXd1UzRpRF9VU0RidFNkU0NqM0tsRUlFcFF6aE05enU0dFllS2J6alIxRHN3RU45TXNtbmZGTE03eTNCeHVHZDlIdHNibHlnVXBFdHVaZEFlelk4UFZ5enVuQw?oc=5" target="_blank">US House panels to consider sweeping aviation safety reforms</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

ReutersMar 25
WATCH: Trump promises 'bigger majorities' for Republicans at House GOP dinner
Politics

WATCH: Trump promises 'bigger majorities' for Republicans at House GOP dinner

President Donald Trump worked to rally the GOP on Wednesday night when he addressed the National Republican Congressional Committee's annual fundraising dinner at Washington's Union Station.

PBS NewsHourMar 26
Epstein’s former attorney tells House panel he didn’t know about the abuse - AP News
Government Transparency

Epstein’s former attorney tells House panel he didn’t know about the abuse - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMinwFBVV95cUxPSGFBNWYwYUFBT002bFlVamRNYk9zbDlmNUs1UzBxRjljM0UyR0tEMmdmNUM2YjZDY0VZcXR1SEhUaVF2Q1hwVkQyb3NFNnR3akp5RnY1NFUtWlR2dzJUVnpMTkpVSlpnd0g0VG5aUURId2JGa1owNzlVZW5BWnhoZU9YaFlJaURHNEctOGFfcGJVQ1ZrMkxMTUZsZWR4cFk?oc=5" target="_blank">Epstein’s former attorney tells House panel he didn’t know about the abuse</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsMar 20
Read Next
Amendment to require photo ID to vote fails in Senate as Democrats object
Politics

Amendment to require photo ID to vote fails in Senate as Democrats object

An amendment that would require voters to show photo identification to cast a ballot failed to advance in the Senate on Thursday.

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources