Multiple House Democrats have called for the resignation or expulsion of Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) after the House Ethics Committee found her guilty of over 50 cases of wrongdoing.
Cherfilus-McCormick has been accused of stealing $5 million in funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and using some of those funds for her campaign. After a rare public hearing on Thursday, the committee found that 25 of the 27 counts levied against Cherfilus-McCormick “had been proven.”
In April, the committee will determine what sanctions, if any, would be appropriate for the congresswoman.
The Florida representative now faces mounting pressure from fellow democrats to resign or face expulsion.
“You can’t crime your way into legitimate power,” said Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA) on X, “since she was found guilty, she should resign or be removed.”
Other Democrats echoed Gluesenkamp’s concerns. Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA) said her resignation would be “easier for everyone” in a statement to Axios. “If someone’s misbehaved in the way she’s said to have misbehaved, I think every member of Congress, regardless of party, has to respond to that, and I think we will,” he said.
“She has to consider her constituents and the House Democratic caucus, so I think she should probably step aside,” Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) echoed.
“I mean, what’s the difference between that and George Santos?” Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX) told Punchbowl News, while also calling for her resignation.
Reps. Becca Balint (D-VT.) and Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) also called for Cherfilus-McCormick’s resignation. They both added that the Republicans should “address” Rep. Tony Gonzalez (R-TX), who has been mired in controversy after admitting to an affair with a staffer who died by suicide. Gonzalez dropped his reelection bid in early March.
Other Democrats are awaiting the criminal trial or the April hearing before commenting, while acknowledging the seriousness of the situation.
“I don’t want to opine on the details of that yet, but it looks problematic,” Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL) said.
HOUSE ETHICS PANEL FINDS CHERFILUS-MCCORMICK COMMITTED WRONGDOING AFTER RARE PUBLIC HEARING
On Friday, Cherfilus-McCormick was asked if she had a response to her colleague’s calls to resign.
“They didn’t elect me; it was my district,” she responded. “So we’ll keep fighting for the people and keep working like we’re doing now until they get what they need.”