Luna Says She’s Confident There Are Enough Votes To Expel Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) told Fox News Digital she is "very confident" the House has the votes to expel Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.), who could face a removal vote as soon as next week.

Ethics Findings and Criminal Indictment

The push for expulsion follows a March finding by a House ethics subcommittee that Cherfilus-McCormick committed more than two dozen violations, including allegations that she diverted disaster relief funds to support her congressional campaign. Separately, she faces a federal criminal indictment that prosecutors say could carry more than 53 years in prison if convictions are obtained on all counts.

Rep. Eric Swalwell spoke during a press conference on committee assignments for the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 25, 2023, in Washington, D.C.(Getty Images)

Votes, Procedure, And Political Calculus

Expelling a member of the House requires a two-thirds majority. Luna said she has been contacted privately by both Republicans and Democrats who plan to support removal.

"Democrats have voiced their frustrations with her and have stated that they will vote to expel her as well," Luna told Fox News Digital.

Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) is expected to introduce a resolution to expel Cherfilus-McCormick after the House Ethics Committee issues a recommended sanction. Despite mounting pressure, Cherfilus-McCormick told Fox News Digital she will not resign and is running for re-election.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., said the House of Representatives will vote to expel Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., if she does not resign.

Context: Prior Expulsion Threats and Resignations

Luna recently led the effort that pressured Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) to resign after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct; Swalwell denied criminal wrongdoing. Luna said she had prepared a motion to expel Swalwell before his resignation was announced. She also supported action against former Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), who resigned ahead of a possible removal vote.

Rarity And Consequences

Historic expulsions are rare in the U.S. House, in part because members are typically reluctant to remove colleagues who have not been criminally convicted or definitively found to have committed misconduct by the full ethics process. Luna argued the seriousness of the ethics findings and allegations justify decisive action to protect the institution and represent constituents' interests.

Cherfilus-McCormick: "This is not the time to abandon the district, not when they too are fighting for their future," she said, reiterating her intent to remain in office.