Rep. Greg Steube (R‑Fla.) said he will file a motion to censure Rep. Sheila Cherfilus‑McCormick (D‑Fla.) following a federal indictment that alleges the congresswoman diverted disaster relief funds to benefit her 2021 campaign.
“This is one of the most egregious abuses of public trust I have ever seen,” Steube wrote on X. “Stealing $5 million in taxpayer disaster funds from FEMA of all places is beyond indefensible. Millions of Floridians have relied on FEMA after devastating hurricanes, and that money was supposed to help real disaster victims. And once House Ethics concludes their investigation or she is formally convicted, rest assured I will move to expel her from Congress.”
Cherfilus‑McCormick and three others — including her brother — were indicted by federal prosecutors in a case alleging that funds from a FEMA contract were funneled into her congressional campaign.
Allegations and potential penalties
According to the Department of Justice, the siblings ran a family health‑care company that held a FEMA‑funded COVID‑19 vaccination staffing contract in 2021 and received an alleged overpayment of $5 million. Prosecutors say the two “conspired to steal that $5 million and routed it through multiple accounts to disguise its source.”
The indictment alleges some of the money was moved through straw donors and other arrangements so it could be contributed to Cherfilus‑McCormick’s campaign as if it were the donors’ own funds.
If convicted on all counts, Cherfilus‑McCormick could face more than 50 years in prison, while her brother faces up to 35 years. As a first‑time offender, she would likely receive a lesser sentence if convicted.
Censure and congressional context
Censure is an uncommon disciplinary action in the House: since 1832, 28 members have been censured. The sanction can strip a lawmaker of committee assignments and is the second‑strongest punishment available to the chamber, after expulsion.
Steube said he will move to censure now and pursue expulsion if House Ethics finds wrongdoing or a court conviction occurs. Cherfilus‑McCormick’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The announcement comes after a separate recent episode in which the House voted to dismiss a resolution to censure Rep. Cory Mills (R‑Fla.). Rep. Nancy Mace (R‑S.C.) had filed that resolution over allegations including dating violence, stolen valor and improper contracts; Mills denies the accusations and said he will cooperate with the House Ethics Committee, which was asked to review the matter.
