Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Florida Democrat already under pressure from a pending criminal indictment, could soon face a vote to expel her from Congress.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday that he would support removing her, pointing to findings from a bipartisan House Ethics Committee subcommittee that concluded in March she committed more than two dozen violations. According to Johnson, the investigation left little room for doubt.
“The Ethics Committee has gone through all of its processes, and they found some alarming facts,” he told reporters. “I think the facts are indisputable at this point.”
The committee’s conclusion followed a lengthy investigation that stretched over several years. Investigators interviewed hundreds of people and sifted through tens of thousands of documents before reaching their decision.
Meanwhile, Rep. Greg Steube of Florida has said he plans to introduce a resolution to expel Cherfilus-McCormick, though he is waiting for the ethics panel to formally recommend a punishment. That recommendation is expected after a hearing scheduled for next week.
Cherfilus-McCormick has denied any wrongdoing and has given no indication that she plans to resign. She is also continuing her campaign for re-election ahead of Florida’s August primary.
Expelling a member of Congress requires a two-thirds vote in the House, which means Republicans would need support from a sizable number of Democrats. So far, only a small group within the party has publicly said they would back removal if she refuses to step down.
The situation comes as the House is already dealing with other ethics controversies. Reps. Eric Swalwell of California and Tony Gonzales of Texas both announced plans to resign after facing potential expulsion votes tied to separate allegations of sexual misconduct. Johnson said their decisions to step aside were appropriate given the circumstances.
Democratic leadership has largely avoided taking a firm stance on Cherfilus-McCormick. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has said he will wait until the ethics process is complete before weighing in.
If Republicans move ahead with an expulsion vote, Democrats could respond in kind. Rep. Cory Mills, a Florida Republican, is under investigation for allegations that include domestic violence and campaign finance violations. He has denied those claims and is also running for re-election.
Cherfilus-McCormick’s legal troubles are serious. Prosecutors allege she misused millions of dollars in FEMA disaster relief funds, directing the money toward her congressional campaign and personal expenses. She also faces accusations related to a straw donor scheme and filing a false tax return. If convicted, she could face decades in prison.
