A day after U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus McCormick’s indictment on federal charges, the Miramar Democrat remains in Congress. But leadership just pulled her ranking member status on a key committee, and she may be censured by the House.
Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, issued a statement on the Congresswoman’s legal issues.
“Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has proudly represented the people of Palm Beach and Broward Counties since 2022. Consistent with the United States Constitution, she is entitled to her day in court and the presumption of innocence,” Jeffries said.
“Pursuant to the Rules of the House Democratic Caucus, Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick will take leave from her position as Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa while this matter is ongoing.”
Sources in the House also expect a censure resolution to be brought to the floor today regarding Cherfilus-McCormick, who was already under investigation by the House Ethics Committee
Cherfilus-McCormick was named as Chair of that subcommittee in January. The committee provides oversight and monitors the State Department activity in those regions of the world. She was named to the post by House Foreign Affairs Committee ranking member Gregory Meeks. She stressed strong support for Israel at the time.
Of note, only four other Democrats serve on the subcommittee, but the only one who isn’t already the ranking member of another subcommittee in Congress is freshman U.S. Rep. George Latimer, a New York Democrat.
Cherfilus-McCormick was indicted by a federal grand jury on Wednesday on charges she stole $5 million in disaster relief funds to finance her 2021 congressional campaign. The money was intended to fund a COVID vaccine distribution program.
But federal prosecutors say that Cherfilus-McCormick and brother Edwin Cherfilus routed overpayments through several outside accounts, and they were ultimately contributed as campaign donations. Charges were also brought against Nadege Leblanc, for aiding in the straw donor scheme, and tax preparer Davis Spencer for filing false tax returns.
