House Democrats are signaling they will overwhelmingly support expelling Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick from Congress if the Ethics Committee recommends it this week, according to interviews with more than 30 lawmakers. The Florida Democrat faces serious allegations that she laundered $5 million in COVID relief funds and directed the money to her campaign. She has pleaded not guilty and denies any wrongdoing.
Republicans will push for an expulsion vote once the House Ethics Committee meets Tuesday, but they will need roughly 80 Democratic votes to succeed. Interviews reveal that number is likely within reach.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has declined to signal how he will advise his caucus, telling reporters Monday that Democrats will "follow the facts and apply the relevant law without fear or favor" after the committee hearing. But individual lawmakers are already staking out their positions.
Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota called the charges "incredibly, incredibly serious" and stressed the need to uphold high standards in Congress. Rep. Eric Sorensen of Illinois said lawmakers must ensure Americans can trust their representatives. Several Democrats, including Reps. Shri Thanedar of Michigan, Julie Johnson of Texas, John Larson of Connecticut, Steve Cohen of Tennessee, and Vicente Gonzalez of Texas, told Axios they would vote for expulsion if recommended.
Even some lawmakers who were more cautious suggested the party has appetite for removal. One senior Democrat told Axios there are "still going to be enough votes" regardless of whether leadership endorses expulsion. Another said there is "an appetite for" removing her, whether driven by frustration with inactivity or concerns about worsening behavior.
Expulsion remains extraordinarily rare in Congress, but not because the chamber lacks the votes. Members typically resign when facing near-certain removal, sparing their colleagues a difficult roll call.
Several Democrats predicted Jeffries may follow the playbook of former Speaker Nancy Pelosi by privately encouraging Cherfilus-McCormick to resign rather than forcing a public party vote. Lawmakers pointed to recent precedent, noting that other members who faced similar pressure chose to leave voluntarily.
Rep. John Mannion of New York summed up the expectation succinctly: "One way or another that's going to resolve itself, and probably fairly soon."
Author James Rodriguez: "The math suggests Cherfilus-McCormick's days in Congress are numbered, whether by Ethics Committee blade or her own decision to walk away."
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