US CONGRESS - REDBROWARD

From the office of Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Assistant Democratic Leader James E. Clyburn (D-SC), Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), Congressman Sanford Bishop (D-GA), and Congressman Don Davis (D-NC) introduced a resolution to honor Black service members in honor of Memorial Day.

“Millions of African Americans have answered the call to serve and protect the American people from all threats, both foreign and domestic. In all too many instances, they have had to fight for equal access to benefits and respect upon returning home,” said Assistant Democratic Leader Clyburn. “This resolution, aptly timed for Memorial Day, seeks to provide African American veterans and service members the recognition they are rightfully due.”

“Black soldiers have fought and given their lives in every American conflict since the Revolutionary War — fighting for democracy at home and abroad, while being treated like second-class citizens on American soil,” said Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick. “This resolution seeks to rectify the gross injustices that these brave Americans experienced serving their nation.”

“Though we have made great strides in the past two hundred years, too many Americans are unaware of the conditions in which so many Black Americans served our country – be it enslaved, or in segregated units, or under conditions where bigotry limited their professional development or recognition of valor,” said Congressman Bishop. “This resolution reminds us of the valor and patriotism of Black Americans who fought in America’s armed forces, overcoming both external enemies and domestic prejudices in order to make our country a more perfect union with life, liberty, and justice for all.”

“As a US Air Force veteran, I am proud to join Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick and other bill sponsors in honoring Black service members across our country who have fought to defend our cherished freedoms,” said Congressman Davis. “Our country would not be where it is today without Black service members’ sacrifices and selfless service. We must always honor our nation’s heroes.”

Black veterans gave their lives to protect and defend the United States at home and abroad despite facing racism in the Armed Services and systemic inequities on American soil. Black members have served heroically for over 200 years in every American conflict including the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War, and the Global War on Terror.

Additional original co-sponsors of the resolution include Reps. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13), Hank Johnson Jr. (D-GA-04), Ted Lieu (D-CA-36), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), André Carson (D-IN-07), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18), Shontel Brown (D-OH-11), Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), Bennie Thompson (D-MS-02), Mark Takano (D-CA-39), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12), Donald Payne Jr. (D-NJ-10), Katie Porter (D-CA-47), Al Green (D-TX-09), Nikema Williams (D-GA-05), Elissa Slotkin (MI-07), Dwight Evans (D-PA-03), Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-06), Troy Carter (D-LA-02), Gregory Meeks (D-NY-05), Steven Horsford (D-NV-04), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL-04), Derek Kilmer (D-WA-06), and Jasmine Crockett (D-TX-30).

Congresswoman Frederica Wilson is the second south Florida Democrat running television commercials paid for with official funds. Wilson is the longtime representative of CD -24 which covers parts of Broward and Miami-Dade. But it was Wilson’s newest colleague in Congress who drew the media’s ire.

Frederica Wilson Commercial

In June, Inside Elections first reported on three commercials from Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus McCormick. The ads included an odd disclaimer which read, “Paid for with official funds from the office of Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.” While rare, Inside Elections conceded, “members of Congress are allowed to use official funds for TV ads, as long as they cover official business and steer clear of campaign content.”

However, the slick style of advertising lead the website to wonder if McCormick was “blurring lines.”

“A review of House ethics rules suggests Cherfilus-McCormick is operating in a significant gray area when it comes to how members can and cannot spend official funds. And her past financial filings show that it’s not the first time the congresswoman has come under scrutiny for her use of taxpayer dollars while seeking office,” Inside Elections reported.

But if McCormick is operating in a gray area, she is not alone.

Frederica Wilson is running the same slick commercials masquerading as informational messages. The Wilson ads tout money she’s brought home to her district. She reads a laundry list of projects she helped fund for cities in her district like Hollywood, West Park and Opa-Locka.

The Wilson ad includes this disclaimer, “Paid for with official funds from the office of Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson.”

According to the Sun-Sentinel, The Republican Party pounced on the issue. A Republican National Committee (RNC) spokesperson said, “Not only are Florida Democrats incompetent, they’re also corrupt.”

So why are Democrats even using official funds to help Sheila Cherfilus McCormick and Frederica Wilson?

McCormick is the newcomer facing a primary challenge by former Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness. Even though she beat Holness by just 5 votes, most insiders believe McCormick will easily win the Democrat primary in August.

The news surrounding the always controversial Holness keeps getting worse. On Friday, Omar Smith, his longtime campaign operative, pled guilty to Federal felony charges related to COVID-19 relief fraud. Smith faces up to thirty years in prison. Last month, Holness’ daughter began a twenty-month prison term on similar charges.

While Wilson avoided a real primary challenge, the 79 year-old Congresswoman faced real criticism over absenteeism and proxy votes.