Emily Jashinsky

The U.S.

military blockade appearing to be a sticking point for the Iranians in returning to the table.

Yesterday afternoon, Iranian ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeed Aravani, saying when the blockade ends, quote, I think the next round of the negotiations will take place in Islamabad.

Saeed referred to the blockade as a violation of the ceasefire.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arachi in a social media post calling the blockade an act of war, adding, quote, Iran knows how to neutralize restrictions, how to defend its interests, and how to resist bullying.

The Treasury Department yesterday afternoon announcing a new set of economic sanctions against companies working with Iran on drone and missile development.

Democrat Congresswoman Sheila Sherphilis McCormick of Florida resigning from the House yesterday, just minutes before a high-stakes ethics committee hearing to determine potential punishment after the panel found she had committed a series of ethics violations.

The findings stem from allegations that Sherphilis McCormick improperly kept a $5 million overpayment in COVID relief funds sent to her family's health care company and funneled some of that money into her campaign.

the Ethics Committee in March substantiating 25 of 27 charges, including campaign finance violations, false financial disclosures, and misuse of official funds.

According to CNN, over the course of its investigation, the panel making 30 requests for information, using 59 subpoenas, conducting 28 interviews, and reviewing more than 33,000 pages of records.

Shafilis McCormick releasing a statement online calling the Ethics Committee's process an unfair witch hunt.

Quote,

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.

The congresswoman was also facing a push from Republican Congressman Greg Stubbe of Florida to force a vote on her expulsion later this week.

Explosion votes are rare in Congress, requiring a two-thirds majority.

But in recent weeks, support for her removal had been growing among Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who told Fox News yesterday, quote, Let's just get this over with.

Ethics Committee Chairman Michael Guest, a Republican from Mississippi, shortly after the announcement.

The congresswoman has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Trouble not yet over for Shafilis McCormick.

In a separate case, she was indicted in November on charges tied to that same $5 million overpayment.