Reps. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and Cory Mills could be the next lawmakers to leave Congress as their colleagues seek to expel them from the House.
Axios detailed that several House Democrats are ready to support her expulsion if the House Ethics Committee concludes that she engaged in wrongdoing by laundering millions in Covid-19 relief funds and funneling it to her campaign.
Republicans are expected to force an expulsion vote, which will need the support of about 80 Democrats to prosper as such votes require a two-thirds majority. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said lawmakers will "follow the facts and apply the relevant law without fear or favor."
The outlet went on to say that lawmakers expect the committee to recommend her expulsion after finding her guilty of the charges against her. Some are even leaning towards supporting her removal even if that's not the case. "Even if they don't, there are still going to be enough votes," a senior House Democrat said. Others said they expect Jeffries to privately call McCormick to resign rather than face expulsion.
Cory Mills, in turn, faces allegations of financial misconduct, campaign finance violations and sexual misconduct. He is also accused of threatening to release nude videos of an ex. He has denied all of them. House Speaker Mike Johnson has signaled support for the resolution to expel McCormick but declined to answer whether he would also support one for Mills, and it could take months before the House Ethics Committee releases its findings on him.
Two other lawmakers announced they are leaving Congress after facing allegations of their own: Reps. Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales.
Swalwell has been dogged by allegations of sexual misconduct from former staff members, leading to the end of his run for governor of California.
Gonzales, on his end, admitted earlier this year to having an affair with a staff member who later committed suicide. Gonzales, who was in his third term in Congress, initially resisted calls to resign but said he wouldn't seek reelection.
However, that changed when a bipartisan effort in Congress to expel both of them gained momentum. Once it became clear that there might be enough votes to actually remove them from office, both resigned.
The push to oust them was led by Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna and Democrat Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, CBS News noted.
