South Carolina lawmakers say they'll formally consider the possible impeachment of Gov. Mark Sanford for the first time next week.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Harrison tells The Associated Press he will gather a seven-member panel Tuesday to discuss whether to begin proceedings that ultimately could remove the Republican governor.

Harrison says the panel will begin talking about whether Sanford was neglectful when he left he state for five days in June without telling staff where he was going. When he returned, the governor confessed he had been in Argentina to see his lover.

Harrison says he plans to send an impeachment resolution to the full Judiciary Committee by Christmas.

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