Lawmakers mull sanctions for Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick

Florida Congresswoman Faces Potential Expulsion as Ethics Committee Weighs Punishment

Democratic Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida faces a pivotal moment in her political career as the House Ethics Committee deliberates on appropriate punishment after finding her responsible for 25 violations of House rules and ethical standards, including campaign finance law infractions.

The committee’s decision on Tuesday follows a comprehensive two-year investigation that involved 59 subpoenas, 28 witness interviews, and review of more than 33,000 pages of documents. Republicans are already calling for Cherfilus-McCormick’s expulsion from Congress, a rare and severe punishment that would require two-thirds support from the House.

The third-term congresswoman, who represents a southeastern Florida district, is simultaneously battling federal criminal charges. Prosecutors allege she misappropriated approximately $5 million in COVID-19 disaster relief funds that were mistakenly sent to her family’s health care business. According to the indictment, she used these funds to purchase luxury items, including a 3-carat yellow diamond ring, and to finance her 2022 congressional campaign through a network of businesses and family members.

Cherfilus-McCormick has maintained her innocence, pleading not guilty to the criminal charges and denying the ethics violations. During previous Ethics Committee hearings, she invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and declined to testify. Her attorney, William Barzee, clashed with committee members, arguing they should have permitted a thorough ethics trial where he could present witnesses and evidence to counter the House investigators’ findings.

The case has drawn attention within her congressional district, where supporters have appealed to Ethics Committee leaders to proceed cautiously. In a letter signed by approximately a dozen local faith leaders and union officials, they emphasized the potential consequences of removing their representative: “Our communities deserve stability. Our voices deserve to be heard. And our right to representation must be protected.”

House Republican Rep. Greg Steube of Florida has stated his intention to introduce a motion for expulsion once the Ethics Committee issues its recommendations. This move could potentially trigger reciprocal action from Democrats, who might seek the expulsion of Florida Republican Rep. Cory Mills, currently under a separate Ethics Committee investigation regarding possible campaign finance violations, misuse of congressional resources, and allegations of sexual misconduct. Mills has denied all wrongdoing.

These ethics investigations come just one week after two lawmakers—Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell of California and Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas—resigned amid investigations into alleged sexual misconduct, preempting possible expulsion votes.

House Democratic leadership has refrained from condemning Cherfilus-McCormick, preferring to allow the ethics process to conclude before taking positions. The Ethics Committee has several potential disciplinary options at its disposal, ranging from a formal reprimand or censure to financial penalties. Expulsion represents the most severe punishment available.

Historically, the House has been reluctant to expel members, preferring to leave final judgment to voters. Since the founding of Congress, only six representatives have been expelled—three for supporting the Confederacy during the Civil War, two following criminal convictions, and most recently, scandal-plagued freshman George Santos of New York, who was removed after a damning ethics report and federal indictment. Santos later served prison time for defrauding campaign donors before receiving clemency from former President Donald Trump.

Despite this historical reluctance, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has indicated he believes Cherfilus-McCormick will face expulsion. “The facts are indisputable at this point, and so I believe it’ll be the consensus of this body that she should be expelled,” Johnson told reporters last week.

The Ethics Committee’s decision will be closely watched as it sets a precedent for handling serious ethics violations in the current politically polarized environment, particularly with multiple investigations ongoing against other House members.