House Ethics Committee Pushes Forward With Cherfilus-McCormick Ethics Trial Set for March 26

The House Ethics Committee will proceed with a rare public trial of Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) next week, rejecting the congresswoman's efforts to delay or dismiss the proceedings. The Cherfilus-McCormick ethics trial is scheduled to begin March 26 at 2 p.m., as reported by Politico on March 18.

The adjudicatory hearing — described by Axios as "extremely rare" in modern congressional history — will examine whether Cherfilus-McCormick stole millions in FEMA funds and funneled money into her congressional campaign. She has pleaded not guilty to parallel federal charges.

What Happened

The Politico report, published in the outlet's congressional live updates, confirmed that the House Ethics Committee denied any further attempts to postpone or dismiss the case. The trial had originally been scheduled for March 5 but was pushed back after Cherfilus-McCormick's attorney withdrew from the case, forcing her to seek new counsel. The subcommittee granted a brief continuance and rescheduled to March 26.

Cherfilus-McCormick has maintained her innocence. "I reject these allegations and remain confident the full facts will make clear I did nothing wrong," she has stated.

Recap: The Cherfilus-McCormick Investigation From Indictment to Trial

The Federal Case

The Trump administration's Department of Justice indicted Cherfilus-McCormick in November 2025 on federal fraud charges. According to CBS News, the DOJ alleges that in 2021, before she was elected to Congress, her company Trinity Healthcare Services was overpaid $5 million on a FEMA-funded contract related to Florida's COVID-19 vaccination campaign. Prosecutors allege some of that money was funneled into her congressional campaign.

She was charged with theft of government funds, money laundering, straw donor contributions, and three conspiracy counts — 15 federal counts in total, according to WFLX.

The Congressional Ethics Probe

The House Ethics Committee has been investigating Cherfilus-McCormick since May 2024, according to WLRN — roughly two years before the upcoming trial date.

In January 2026, the committee's investigative subcommittee found "substantial evidence" supporting fraud charges, including allegations of siphoning FEMA funds and participating in a straw donor scheme. The committee also transmitted a Statement of Alleged Violations and designated an adjudicatory subcommittee to determine whether any counts had been proved by clear and convincing evidence.

The dollar figures vary across reporting. While some outlets cite $5 million, WFLX reported that the Ethics report detailed nearly $6 million in alleged fraud. The Ethics Committee is also examining charges beyond the FEMA allegations, including claims she took illegal campaign contributions connected to a Haitian oil company.

Cherfilus-McCormick's Defense Strategy

According to her formal response filed with the Ethics Committee, Cherfilus-McCormick's legal team filed a Motion to Dismiss all proceedings, arguing there were "no substantiated grounds proving conclusive violation" of House rules.

She also filed a Motion to Stay Proceedings, arguing the Ethics Committee should defer to the DOJ criminal case, citing the House Ethics Manual (page 18), which states the committee may defer matters when there is a parallel criminal investigation to avoid interfering with the DOJ and to safeguard a member's constitutional rights.

Her defense argued she "wants to fully participate in the Committee's proceedings, but cannot do so while the DOJ criminal matter is pending." The committee rejected both her request to delay and her request for a closed-door hearing, citing the need for public transparency and the seriousness of the allegations.

Hill and Administration Take

The House Ethics Trial in 2026

The adjudicatory hearing scheduled for March 26 is the primary congressional action. The House Ethics Committee's decision to hold a public trial — over the objections of the accused member — represents an unusually aggressive posture for a body that typically operates behind closed doors.

Medill News Service reported that the convergence of the federal indictment and the Ethics Committee proceedings puts Cherfilus-McCormick at risk of potential expulsion or other severe consequences. No specific expulsion resolution has been introduced as of this reporting.

No bills from the current Congress specifically addressing the Cherfilus-McCormick case were identified in the available data. No hearings beyond the Ethics Committee's own adjudicatory proceeding have been announced.

Administration Posture

The indictment was brought by the Trump DOJ in November 2025, as noted by multiple outlets. However, no direct public statements, Truth Social posts, or other communications from President Trump specifically addressing Cherfilus-McCormick or her ethics trial were found in the available data. The criminal prosecution itself is the administration's primary action on the matter.

What the Media Is Reporting

Coverage from other outlets adds context beyond the Politico report. WFLX's reporting specified the alleged fraud totaled nearly $6 million and that she faces 15 federal counts — more granular figures than other coverage. WLRN provided the timeline showing the Ethics Committee investigation has been active since May 2024, and detailed the attorney withdrawal that caused the earlier postponement. Axios emphasized the historic rarity of such a public proceeding, framing it as nearly unprecedented in modern congressional history. WPBF added local context, noting Cherfilus-McCormick represents parts of Palm Beach County and detailing the committee's formal finding of "substantial evidence." Medill News Service highlighted the dual legal threats — criminal and congressional — and the potential career-ending consequences she faces if either proceeding goes against her.

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