NEW YORK, NY October 20, 2009 —A special state senate committee will investigate whether senator Hiram Monserrate should be expelled, censured or sanctioned for his misdemeanor assault conviction last week. The committee will consider precedent and senate rules before making its recommendation.

Democratic Senator Eric Schneiderman will chair the 9-person committee, which will have five Democrats and four Republicans. He says the committee division makes sense, given the gridlock the senate suffered in the summer when it became evenly divided. "Anyone who was around in June remembers what even division does. We don't want to take a chance on deadlock," Schneiderman said.

The committee will release a report to the public after the investigation is completed, although Schneiderman could not confirm how long the investigation will take.