House Democrats Poised to Expel Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick Over Ethics Violations

House Democrats are preparing to vote for the expulsion of Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) as soon as the House Ethics Committee meets to decide her fate on Tuesday, according to interviews conducted by Axios with over 30 lawmakers.

Key Details and Expectations

Republicans are expected to force an expulsion vote, but they will need roughly 80 Democratic votes to remove Cherfilus-McCormick from Congress.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has avoided specifying how he will advise his members to vote, even if the Ethics Committee reaches a bipartisan decision recommending her expulsion. Following the Ethics hearing, House Democrats will meet as a caucus and, as Jeffries told reporters on Monday, "follow the facts and apply the relevant law without fear or favor."

Allegations and Denials

Cherfilus-McCormick is accused of laundering $5 million in COVID relief funds and funneling the money into her campaign. She has denied any wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty in her criminal trial.

Statements from House Democrats

Several Democratic lawmakers shared their perspectives on the potential expulsion:

• Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) stated, "The charges and examination are incredibly, incredibly serious and I think we have to hold ourselves to high standards here in the Congress."
• Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.) emphasized, "We need to make sure we can tell the American people that they can trust in their lawmakers."
• Reps. Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.), Julie Johnson (D-Texas), John Larson (D-Conn.), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), and Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas) all confirmed they would vote for expulsion if the Ethics Committee recommends it.
• Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) said, "I'm going to take their recommendation very seriously."
• Rep. Johnny Olszewski (D-Md.) went further, stating that expulsion is "something we should take a look at seriously even if it's not" what the committee recommends.

Internal Caucus Dynamics and Expectations

Lawmakers widely expect the Ethics Committee to recommend expulsion. Even if party leadership does not formally endorse the recommendation, there may still be enough votes to secure it. One senior House Democrat told Axios, "Even if they don't, there are still going to be enough votes."

Another anonymous lawmaker added, "An appetite for expulsion exists. Maybe that's because we're so pathetic and unproductive and we need something to do, or maybe it's because the behavior seems to keep getting worse. Either way I'm ready to go."

A third House Democrat predicted, "Nowadays with the politics the way they are, you're going to see Democrats probably vote in favor."

Potential Outcomes and Historical Context

Some lawmakers suggested that expulsion may not even be necessary. Historically, members of Congress often resign if it becomes clear they will be expelled. Several House Democrats expect Jeffries to privately encourage Cherfilus-McCormick to resign rather than force Democrats to take a difficult vote.

One lawmaker noted, "That's what Nancy [Pelosi] used to do, so I would imagine that he would probably want to do the same thing."

Another added, "If you know you're going, why put yourself through that? And that's what Swalwell and Gonzales did."

Final Outlook

Rep. John Mannion (D-N.Y.) summarized the situation, stating, "One way or another that's going to resolve itself."