Biography
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, born on January 25, 1979, in Brooklyn, New York, is an American politician and businesswoman serving as the U.S. Representative for Florida's 20th congressional district. She is the first Black woman to represent this district, which encompasses areas in and around Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. A member of the Democratic Party, she was first elected to Congress in a January 2022 special election following the death of Representative Alcee Hastings.
Before her political career, Cherfilus-McCormick served as the CEO of Trinity Health Care Services, a Florida-based home health care company. She has been a strong advocate for healthcare reform, affordable housing, and equitable opportunities.
Education
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Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government from Howard University.
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Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University School of Law.
Political Experience
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U.S. Representative for Florida's 20th Congressional District: Elected in a January 2022 special election and re-elected in 2024.
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Committee Assignments:
- House Committee on Foreign Affairs
- House Committee on Veterans' Affairs
- Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Technology Modernization
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Caucus Memberships:
- Chair of the Diversity & Inclusion Task Force for the Democratic Women's Caucus
- Co-Chair of the Haiti Caucus
- Member of the Congressional Black Caucus
Notable Achievements
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Legislative Initiatives: Introduced a resolution condemning revisionist African American education standards, emphasizing the importance of accurate historical representation.
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Community Engagement: Launched the FL-20 EmpowHER Awards to recognize the accomplishments of women in her district, highlighting the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
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Gun Violence Prevention: Advocated for common-sense gun safety legislation, co-sponsoring bills such as the Bipartisan Background Checks Act and the Assault Weapons Ban.
Cherfilus-McCormick continues to focus on addressing the housing crisis, improving access to quality healthcare, and promoting equitable opportunities for all constituents in her district.
