Florida’s Ethics Storm Threatens GOP Edge in Congress

Two Florida lawmakers under federal and House Ethics scrutiny—Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and Republican Cory Mills—face potential expulsion, echoing recent resignations that briefly kept the GOP’s razor-thin majority intact. Cherfilus-McCormick is accused by the Justice Department of diverting about $5 million in federal disaster funds to her campaign, and a House Ethics subcommittee has found multiple misdeeds; Mills faces a mix of financial-disclosure issues and personal misconduct allegations. Expulsion requires a two-thirds House vote and could reshape Florida redistricting and upcoming elections, giving Democrats an opening to challenge vulnerable Republican seats while putting the district maps and midterm calculus in play.