Embattled Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., abruptly resigned Tuesday, just moments before a scheduled House Ethics Committee hearing that was expected to determine potential disciplinary action against her.

Cherfilus-McCormick’s resignation comes amid mounting pressure in Congress. Lawmakers had been considering a vote to expel her, a rare action requiring a two-thirds majority. While expulsion has historically been uncommon, recent precedent has made it more plausible even before a criminal conviction.

The case centers on allegations tied to Cherfilus-McCormick family’s company, Trinity Healthcare Services, which held a contract related to COVID-19 vaccination efforts. According to prosecutors, the company received a $5 million overpayment that was never returned. Instead, investigators allege the funds were routed through various accounts and partially used for campaign expenses.

The panel had been preparing to recommend penalties following its finding last month that Cherfilus-McCormick committed 25 ethics violations. These included improperly accepting campaign donations and mixing campaign funds with personal finances. Separately, a federal indictment alleges she misused $5 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency funds, which prosecutors claim were funneled into her 2021 campaign. She has pleaded not guilty and maintains the situation stems from accounting mistakes.

In her resignation statement, Cherfilus-McCormick sharply criticized the proceedings, calling them a “witch hunt.” She argued the committee’s decision to move forward while her criminal case is pending denied her a fair chance to defend herself, adding that she would not allow her “due process rights to be trampled on” or her reputation damaged. Cherfilus-McCormick added that “rather than play these political games, I choose to step away so that I can devote my time to fighting for my neighbors in Florida’s 20th district. I hereby resign from the 119th Congress, effective immediately.”

With her departure, Ethics Committee Chairman Michael Guest announced the panel no longer had authority over the matter, emphasizing the investigation had been thorough and deliberate. Ranking Democrat Mark DeSaulnier acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, noting that no one involved took the outcome lightly.

Despite the accusations, Cherfilus-McCormick has consistently denied wrongdoing and said she looks forward to proving her innocence in court. Her trial is currently scheduled for 2027. Her exit marks the third congressional resignation in a short span, following the departures of two other lawmakers — Reps. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., and Tony Gonzales, R-Texas — who were both under scrutiny for alleged sexual misconduct.

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