The U.S. House of Representatives is moving toward rare expulsion votes for two Florida lawmakers this week. Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat, and Representative Cory Mills, a Republican, could become the seventh and eighth members ever expelled from Congress. Their cases follow the recent resignations of two other representatives who faced similar proceedings.
Cherfilus-McCormick was found guilty by the House Ethics Committee on multiple charges, most notably for allegedly funneling COVID relief funds to her campaign. Mills faces allegations including financial misconduct, campaign finance violations, and sexual misconduct. Both representatives have denied any wrongdoing.
Speaker Mike Johnson has signaled support for a resolution to expel Cherfilus-McCormick after the Ethics Committee makes its disciplinary recommendations. He declined to comment on whether Mills should also be expelled, as that investigation is still ongoing. The push for votes follows a pattern of heightened ethics enforcement in the chamber.
If expelled, the two would join an extremely small group in congressional history. Their removal would trigger special elections in their districts, potentially shifting the House's narrow partisan balance. The proceedings reflect a renewed, though contentious, focus on member conduct.
Some critics argue the expulsion process remains highly politicized, with outcomes potentially influenced by party dynamics rather than purely objective standards. The timing and targets of these votes continue to spark debate about consistency and fairness in congressional discipline.