House Shake‑Ups Show Ethics Can Be Enforced Fast
Congress has shown it can act quickly when members misbehave, as three lawmakers recently stepped down after serious accusations.
Florida: Sheila Cherfilus‑McCormick, a Democrat, resigned just before her ethics committee vote. The panel had already found her guilty of 25 violations for diverting COVID‑relief money to fund her special election. She claims innocence and awaits a federal trial, but the threat of expulsion pushed her to resign.
California: Eric Swalwell left office after facing potential expulsion over sexual‑misconduct claims that he denied. Party leaders and public pressure forced his departure.
Texas: Tony Gonzales also stepped down amid similar allegations and the risk of expulsion.
These exits are not random; they result from leadership pushing investigations forward. Historically, congressional leaders have been reluctant to expose wrongdoing, keeping probes secret and dragging them out for years. While a fair legal process is vital, it should not block Congress from disciplining unethical members.
The Need for Speed
The speed of this “clean‑up” is overdue. When alleged wrongdoers stay in office, raise unlimited money, and vote on hot issues, public trust erodes. The three resignations are a step, but deeper action is needed:
- Accelerate pending probes
- Swiftly punish those found guilty
- Free up time to clear members wrongly accused
The Ongoing Storm: Cory Mills
One case still pending involves Florida Republican Cory Mills, who faces charges of domestic violence, revenge porn, campaign‑finance violations, and abuse of federal contracts. Republicans have largely defended him, though some—like South Carolina’s Nancy Mace—have tried to remove him from committees and call for expulsion. Mace herself is now under a separate ethics probe, illustrating how many investigations pile up.
Leadership Dynamics
- House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has signaled a willingness to police his own caucus, removing Cherfilus‑McCormick from a foreign‑affairs subcommittee and helping push Swalwell’s resignation.
- Speaker Mike Johnson has been less proactive.
Every member deserves due process, yet the current ethics system’s delays let misconduct linger. With congressional approval ratings near a record low, clearing the ethics docket and cleaning up could restore some confidence in lawmakers.
