After setting aside the impeachment of Samuel B. Kent, Congress can now move onto to the investigation of another federal judge.

The House Judiciary Committee voted 30-0 on Wednesday to grant immunity to eight witnesses in the impeachment inquiry of Judge G. Thomas Porteous, alleged to have lied on bankruptcy financial disclosure forms.

Committee members said the immunity orders for eight witnesses were necessary since some of them had invoked their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote later today on a resolution that is intended to halt Senate proceedings against an impeached federal judge.

Last month, the House passed four articles of impeachment against Samuel B. Kent, a Texas federal district judge who is serving a 33-month jail sentence on a charge stemming from allegations of sexual misconduct. The Senate quickly began the process of holding a trial.

Kent had hoped to hold onto his judgeship until next June, in order to receive his salary and benefits. But after the Senate began the trial process, Kent resigned his seat.

The brief House resolution instructs its impeachment managers to tell the Senate that the House "does not desire further to urge the articles of impeachment" against Kent.