Resolution to Expel Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick Cites $5M FEMA Fund Theft and Campaign Finance Violations

This resolution is short, sharp, and serious: it moves to immediately expel Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick from the House of Representatives. It’s not about a policy disagreement; it’s about conduct, specifically a recent federal indictment and an ongoing ethics investigation. The findings section lays out the case, centered on allegations that the Representative stole about $5 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster relief funds and then used that money to illegally finance her 2021 congressional campaign.

The $5 Million Question: Theft and Political Gain

The core of the matter, according to the resolution, is a massive alleged misuse of public money. The findings state that the Representative’s family company, Trinity Health Care Services, received a FEMA contract for COVID-19 vaccination staffing and was overpaid by approximately $5 million in July 2021. The indictment alleges the Representative and others conspired to keep that money, divert it for personal use, and then use a “substantial portion” of it to fund her campaign through large personal loans and illegal “straw donor” contributions to skirt campaign finance rules. This isn't just about bad bookkeeping; the resolution cites charges including theft of government funds, wire fraud, money laundering, and unlawful campaign contributions. Essentially, the bill argues that disaster relief money—meant for communities recovering from emergencies—was allegedly used to buy an election.

Why Expulsion Now? The Standard of Trust

The resolution argues that these alleged actions—which carry a potential maximum sentence of fifty-three years if convicted—represent a “gross abuse of public trust.” It also notes that the House Committee on Ethics has already opened an investigation into her regarding campaign finance violations and financial disclosures. The bill cites House Rule XXIII, which requires members to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects creditably on the House. The argument here is procedural: the severity of the alleged crimes, involving the theft of disaster relief funds for political gain, is so damaging to public confidence that it warrants immediate expulsion before the criminal trial concludes. This is a significant move because expulsion relies on an indictment and ongoing investigation, not a final conviction.

Real-World Fallout: Losing Your Voice

For the average person, this resolution has two major impacts. First, it reinforces the message that the theft of public funds, especially disaster relief money, is taken seriously—a cold comfort for taxpayers, but a necessary signal. Second, and more immediately, if this resolution passes, the constituents of Florida's 20th Congressional District will be without a representative until a special election can be held. This means the district loses its active vote and voice in Congress, potentially for months, while the process plays out. While the resolution focuses on the integrity of the House, the immediate practical effect is a temporary silencing of an entire district, forcing them to wait for a new election to restore their representation.