Republican Rep. Greg Steube on Thursday introduced a resolution to expel Democratic Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick from Congress after she was indicted by a Florida grand jury for allegedly using stolen federal emergency grants to fund her election campaign.
Stuebe previously teased introducing a motion to censure Cherfilus-McCormick following the indictment announcement Wednesday night.
“On second thought, I have decided to skip censure and move straight to expulsion,” Steube posted to X. “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.”
“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,” the post continued.
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It’s unclear if there’s enough support to expel Cherfilus-McCormick. Such a move requires two-thirds of the House’s support – meaning at least 70 Democrats would have to vote to oust their colleague.
Cherfilus-McCormick has denied wrongdoing. In a statement shared with media outlets Thursday, the Florida Democrat called the indictment against her “an unjust, baseless, sham indictment.”
“The timing alone is curious and clearly meant to distract from far more pressing national issues,” the statement continued. “From day one, I have fully cooperated with every lawful request, and I will continue to do so until this matter is resolved.”
The indictment alleges Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother Edwin Cherfilus received a $5 million overpayment in Federal Emergency Management Agency funds through their family health care company in 2021. They then allegedly attempted to disguise the funds through multiple networks before contributing “a substantial portion” to Cherfilus-McCormick’s 2021 congressional campaign, the indictment claims.
House Democratic leadership was not ready to fully turn on Cherfilus-McCormick Thursday, though they did temporarily strip her committee assignment as the top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa as the case plays out in the courts.
“Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has proudly represented the people of Palm Beach and Broward Counties since 2022. Consistent with the United States Constitution, she is entitled to her day in court and the presumption of innocence,” Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement.
If convicted, the lawmaker faces up to 53 years in prison.
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