Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick represents Florida's 20th congressional district, a Black-majority area covering parts of Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. She won a special election in 2022 following the death of her predecessor. As ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Middle East and North Africa, she leads the Democratic opposition on that panel, which examines U.S. diplomatic and strategic interests in one of the world's most consequential regions. She also serves on the full Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Cherfilus-McCormick brings a background in business operations and healthcare management to her legislative work. Born in Brooklyn to Haitian immigrant parents and raised in Queens, she earned a degree in political science from Howard University and a law degree from St. Thomas University School of Law. Before entering Congress, she worked as a project manager for the New York City Transit Authority and spent years in the healthcare sector, serving as vice president and later CEO of a family home health care company.

As ranking member, she participates in shaping her subcommittee's oversight agenda and legislative priorities on Middle East policy. Her sponsored bills reflect interests in veterans' affairs, worker protections, and economic opportunity, including the Historically Underserved Veterans Inclusion Act and the Respect for Essential Workers Act. She has introduced approximately 35 bills during her tenure.

Cherfilus-McCormick currently faces serious legal challenges. In November 2025, she was indicted on 17 counts related to alleged theft of 5 million dollars in FEMA funds, money laundering, and illegal campaign contributions. If convicted, she could face up to 53 years in prison. These charges represent a significant cloud over her congressional service and legislative work.