Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has been found guilty by the House Ethics Committee following findings tied to her federal indictment for allegedly diverting more than $5 million in disaster-relief funds into her campaign and personal luxuries, including a reported $100,000+ diamond ring.

For months, as the scandal unfolded, Florida Democrats remained silent.

Despite the severity of the allegations, Democrat members of Congress including Jared Moskowitz, Darren Soto, Maxwell Frost, and Kathy Castor failed to speak out or take a clear public stand as the case progressed.

“This scandal exposed more than one elected official. It exposed a pattern of silence,” said Republican Party of Florida Chairman Evan Power. “While millions in disaster-relief funds were allegedly diverted for political use and even a six-figure diamond ring, Florida Democrats said nothing and did nothing.”

The Republican Party of Florida’s statewide petition demanded clear answers on whether Democrats would support resignation, expulsion, or accountability.

Those answers never came.

“Leadership means speaking up when it matters, not staying quiet until the outcome is already decided,” Power added. “Their silence throughout this process is exactly why voters are losing trust.”

Now that Cherfilus-McCormick has been found guilty by the Ethics Committee, the focus turns to accountability beyond one individual.

“Floridians deserve leaders who will call out corruption in real time, not after the damage is done,” Power said.