Republican to force vote on expelling Cherfilus-McCormick from Congress
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Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick speaks at a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 22. Photo: Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images
Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) said Thursday he will force a vote next week to expel Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) from Congress over allegations of campaign finance violations and other financial misconduct.
Why it matters: The announcement comes after a House Ethics investigative subcommittee said it found "substantial evidence" to support the criminal charges Cherfilus-McCormick is facing, which she denies.
- The panel released a 59-page report Thursday citing "substantial evidence of conduct consistent with the allegations" in the indictment charging her, "as well as more extensive misconduct."
- Cherfilus-McCormick said in a statement responding to the report: "I reject these allegations and remain confident the full facts will make clear I did nothing wrong."
- A spokesperson for the congresswoman declined to comment on Steube's plans to force an expulsion vote.
What they're saying: "Today's House Ethics findings detail more than two dozen counts of serious financial crimes," Steube said in a post on X.
- "When we return to Washington, I'll call up a resolution to expel her from Congress."
- A spokesperson for Steube confirmed that he plans to offer what is known as a privileged resolution that would allow any House member to force an expulsion vote against a colleague.
Between the lines: An expulsion resolution requires a two-thirds vote to pass the House. Even if all Republicans supported it, roughly 80 Democrats would have to join them in order to expel Cherfilus-McCormick.
- Democratic leadership is expected to oppose the measure, according to a Democratic leadership aide and a lawmaker close to Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).
- A spokesperson for Jeffries did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Zoom in: The report said it found evidence to support charges that Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother laundered a $5 million government contract overpayment made to her family's health care company and then funneled much of it to her successful 2022 campaign for Congress.
- It also accused Cherfilus-McCormick of failing to properly report her campaign and personal finances; accepting donations over the legal limit from various individuals, companies and PACs; and employing a volunteer in her congressional office in violation of House rules.
- Another charge made by the report is that Cherfilus-McCormick helped steer earmark funding in federal appropriations bills towards the projects of friends and associates.
The other side: Cherfilus-McCormick, who has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges against her, said she didn't have a "fair opportunity to rebut or defend myself due to the constraints of an ongoing legal process."
- The Florida Democrat said her "focus remains where it belongs: delivering for my constituents and continuing the work they sent me to Washington to do."
What's next: Another Ethics subcommittee made up of three Republicans and three Democrats will meet in March to determine "whether any counts in the [report] have been proved by clear and convincing evidence and to make findings of fact," according to a press release from the panel.
- If that group upholds the alleged violations, the full Ethics Committee — composed of five Republicans and five Democrats — will release a report that is likely to contain recommendations for action against Cherfilus-McCormick.
- While the Ethics Committee has been derided as toothless in recent years, its reports have led to real consequences — most recently the expulsion of Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) in 2023.
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to say that Steube will offer a privileged resolution (not a privileged motion).
