Johnson's comments come as bipartisan efforts to address ethical violations gain momentum in Congress.
Category: Politics
House Speaker Mike Johnson has publicly stated that U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick should be expelled from Congress, marking a decisive moment in the House's handling of ethical violations. Johnson's remarks come as a bipartisan group of lawmakers seeks to address multiple members with ethical issues, and his comments have intensified the scrutiny on Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat from Miramar, Florida.
“I have been a jealous guardian of due process around here,” Johnson said. “I do think, certainly on Cherfilus-McCormick, the Ethics Committee has gone through all of its processes, and they found some alarming facts. I think the facts are indisputable at this point.” His comments follow an adjudicatory panel’s recent findings that Cherfilus-McCormick was guilty of 25 charges for violating House rules, primarily related to her alleged siphoning of $5 million in state disaster relief funds through a health care nonprofit to support her 2021 congressional campaign.
The House Ethics Committee is set to hold a hearing on April 21, 2026, to recommend potential sanctions, including expulsion. Several lawmakers have indicated they are ready to vote on resolutions aimed at expelling Cherfilus-McCormick. U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican from Pinellas, tweeted, “Sheila McCormick, we have your expulsion vote ready to be called up on the 21st. Either resign or be expelled. Those are your two options. So America is tracking: Sheila stole $5 million in FEMA funds.”
In a related development, U.S. Rep. Greg Steube had prepared a resolution to remove Cherfilus-McCormick shortly after she was indicted by federal prosecutors on charges linked to the alleged theft. Yet, he stated he would not rush the resolution ahead of the Ethics process at the request of leadership. The situation has prompted discussions among lawmakers about pairing resolutions to expel members facing serious ethical challenges, especially as the House grapples with a tight margin between Republicans and Democrats.
Meanwhile, the House Ethics Committee is also investigating U.S. Rep. Cory Mills, a Republican from New Smyrna Beach, over a series of allegations. These include claims that he profited from defense contracts, domestic abuse of a girlfriend in Washington, and threats to release intimate photos of another girlfriend in Florida. Johnson noted that he was not fully aware of the status of Mills' investigation, stating, “With regard to Mills, I’m not sure the status of the Ethics Committee investigation and that’s one of the things I’ll be looking into today.”
The House has faced considerable challenges in recent months due to its historically narrow majority, which has been exacerbated by a recent special election in New Jersey. Once Democrat Analilia Mejia is sworn in, the partisan breakdown will shift to 217 Republicans, 214 Democrats, one independent, and three vacant seats. This slimmed-down majority leaves the GOP with little room for error in passing legislation.
As the House prepares for the upcoming hearing, the stakes are high for both Cherfilus-McCormick and Mills. The Ethics Committee's findings and the subsequent actions taken by the House could set a precedent for how ethical violations are addressed moving forward. Johnson's leadership will be tested as he navigates these turbulent waters, with the potential for a major shift in the composition of the House.
In a broader historical perspective, the current partisan breakdown reflects one of the most narrowly divided House majorities in nearly a century. The last time a minority held more than 215 seats was in the aftermath of the 1930 elections. Johnson's ability to maintain unity within his party is increasingly challenged as the House faces urgent legislative priorities, including funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and border patrol, particularly as the Department of Homeland Security is currently facing a shutdown.
With special elections for two of the vacant seats scheduled for June 2 and June 16, 2026, both in California, the Republican leadership is under pressure to solidify their majority and push through key legislation. The upcoming special elections could shift the balance of power yet again, making the stakes even higher for Johnson and his party.
As the House prepares for the April 21 hearing, the political dynamics surrounding Cherfilus-McCormick's potential expulsion will undoubtedly be closely watched. The outcomes of these investigations and subsequent actions will not only impact the individuals involved but could also influence the broader political climate heading into the next election season.
In light of these developments, Johnson's leadership will be examined as he attempts to navigate the challenges posed by a narrow majority and the ethical controversies surrounding his colleagues. The coming weeks will be telling as the House seeks to address these issues head-on.
The situation remains fluid, and as such, the implications of these investigations and potential expulsions could echo throughout Congress, affecting legislative agendas and party dynamics in the months to come.
As Johnson prepares to lead the House through these turbulent times, his comments about Cherfilus-McCormick signal a commitment to addressing ethical violations, even as he faces the challenges of a divided chamber. The hearing on April 21 will be a key moment in determining the fate of Cherfilus-McCormick and potentially reshaping the House's approach to ethics in the future.