U.S. District Judge Samuel B. Kent, who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting two staffers at the Houston Federal Courthouse and obstruction of justice, was impeached by a House resolution on Friday and has now been summoned to defend himself before the Senate in future trial proceedings.

House members personally delivered the impeachment case to the Senate on Wednesday morning and urged swift action. The senators gathered in force and wore solemn faces as they heard the charges against Judge Kent, took a special oath to become jurors in the case, and nominated a bipartisan committee to oversee the investigation.

After a unanimous voice vote to confirm the committee, the senators lined up to sign an official attendance book to record their presence at the time the oath was administered.

The full gathering of the Senate is rare, and it occurred during one of the busiest weeks of a busy summer session, but Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., said it was imperative that Judge Kent is removed quickly and denied his $477 per day salary:

[The Senate] should take action immediately to ensure justice is truly served and that Judge Kent, who has dishonored the robe, can no longer serve on a judicial bench.”

The Senate is the only body that can remove federal judges.