ALBANY, N.Y. -- The New York Senate has voted to immediately expel a senator convicted of misdemeanor assault.
The Senate voted 53-8 on Tuesday night to oust Sen. Hiram Monserrate. The Queens Democrat was convicted of dragging his girlfriend through his apartment lobby but acquitted of a felony. A felony conviction would have automatically cost him his job.
Monserrate says Tuesday's vote is depriving voters of their right to choose a representative. He has vowed to fight an explusion.
The Senate Democratic Conference agreed earlier Tuesday to put forth two resolutions to the full Senate. One of them called for Monserrate's immediate expulsion, the other to expel him by June 30 or following his criminal appeal.
Democrats declined to consider a motion to simply censure him.
Monserrate is appealing his conviction.
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