U.S. Rep. Jim Himes is urging fellow Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick to resign after a House ethics panel found multiple violations tied to allegations that she misused COVID relief money, escalating pressure on the Florida congresswoman as she faces both an indictment and possible House sanctions.

Himes, a Connecticut Democrat, said Sunday on CBS’ “Face the Nation” that if Cherfilus-McCormick does not step down, the House may end up voting on her future. He said he hoped she would avoid that outcome by resigning first.

“You know, if she doesn't resign, there will be a vote in the House, and you know, people will find reasons to support the congresswoman, just as Republicans found reasons to support George Santos…at a time when we're at war, when gas prices are too high, that shouldn't happen. So I would hope that my colleague might avoid that outcome by choosing to resign. But it is also very important that both parties be consistent in punishing ethical lapses inside their own teams,” Himes said to host Margaret Brennan.

Santos (R-NY) was expelled from Congress in 2023. However, he only served less than three months of a seven-year sentence for wire fraud and identity theft after President Donald Trump stepped in last year.

Himes comments came after the House Ethics Committee said a subcommittee found “clear and convincing evidence” for 25 counts of alleged violations against Cherfilus-McCormick. The panel held a public hearing on March 26 and later moved into private deliberations before issuing its findings.

Florida Democrat Cherfilus-McCormick was indicted in November on federal charges that she and others stole an overpayment of $5 million in COVID-19 relief funds and routed the money through multiple accounts to hide its source. Prosecutors said some of the money was used for her 2021 congressional campaign. 

Cherfilus-McCormick has maintained her innocence. The ethics committee is expected to decide on possible sanctions after the House returns from its April recess. Pressure on Cherfilus-McCormick has grown from both Republicans and other Democrats, as the case adds another ethics fight to an already split Congress.

Her office did not immediately respond to requests for comment, Reuters reported.