Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) is recusing himself from the proceedings because he was a member of the House of Representatives in March when that body impeached Porteous on corruption charges. Kirk voted for each of the four articles of impeachment. Then, last month, he won election to the Senate and was sworn in to the upper chamber to serve out the remainder of President Barack Obama’s old Senate term.
Heh. Didn't stop Chuckie Schumer during the Clinton impeachment. And unlike Kirk, Schumer was a member of the House Judiary committee, so he actually investigated the guy before sitting in judgment of him as a Senator.