Resignation is the new escape hatch as lawmakers face expulsion

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Florida Democrat indicted for embezzling $5 million from FEMA, resigned hours before the House Ethics Committee recommended her expulsion. Recent cases show a pattern of lawmakers like Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales resigning to avoid official expulsion over misconduct, allowing the Ethics Committee to lose jurisdiction and evade public disgrace.