Republican moves to expel Cherfilus-McCormick from Congress
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Rep. Sheila Cherfilus McCormick leaving the U.S. Capitol on March 27. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) said Thursday he will force a vote on expelling Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) from Congress after she was indicted by a federal grand jury.
Why it matters: The move comes as the House is growing weary of the increased use of expulsion and censure, with lawmakers groaning that they have become partisan tools rather than meaningful sanctions.
- Just this week, the House has taken votes related to censure resolutions against Del. Stacey Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands) and Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.).
- Steube had initially floated a censure resolution against Cherfilus-McCormick, which would have also kicked her off of committees, but has opted to pursue expulsion. Cherfilus-McCormick has proclaimed her innocence.
- Unlike censure, expulsion requires a two-thirds vote to pass the House rather than a simple majority.
What they're saying: "Cherfilus-McCormick needs to be swiftly removed from the House before she can inflict any more harm on Congress, her district, and the State of Florida," Steube said in a post on X.
- He added: "I'll be filing the resolution today. If she refuses to resign and save Congress the embarrassment of having to expel her, I will bring this resolution to the floor for a vote."
- His expulsion resolution cites a "pattern of alleged criminal conduct and ethics concerns" around Cherfilus-McCormick that "raises serious questions about her judgment, integrity, and fitness to continue to serve."
- Steube's motion, if filed Thursday, would force a vote either this week or the day the House returns from its Thanksgiving recess.
State of play: Cherfilus-McCormick was indicted Wednesday for allegedly stealing $5 million in FEMA overpayments to her company and using a substantial portion of the money to fund her 2021 congressional campaign.
- The Florida Democrat won the special primary election to succeed the late Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.) that year by a mere five votes.
- She has been under investigation by House ethics watchdogs since 2023, in part for alleged campaign finance violations.
The other side: Cherfilus-McCormick said in a statement Thursday that the indictment is a "sham" and that she is "innocent," calling the timing of it "curious."
- The indictment, she said, is "clearly meant to distract from far more pressing national issues."
- Cherfilus-McCormick added that she will not resign, vowing to "continue fighting for my constituents."
Zoom out: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said in a statement Thursday that Cherfilus-McCormick is "entitled to her day in court and the presumption of innocence."
- "Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has proudly represented the people of Palm Beach and Broward Counties since 2022," he said.
- He added that she will step down as the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee on the Middle East, as required under Democratic caucus rules now that she's been indicted.
