Lawmakers in South Carolina say they will be formally considering impeachment of the state's Gov. Mark Sanford.

A seven-member panel will gather next Tuesday to discuss whether to begin the proceedings, according to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Harrison, R-Columbia.

The announcement comes two days after the State Ethics Commission said it would proceed with charges against Sanford.

Lawmakers will be discussing whether or not the two-term Republican governor was neglectful when he left his state in June without telling anyone where he was going.

When Sanford returned after five days, he confessed to having an affair with a woman from Argentina. So far, Sanford has rebuffed calls for his resignation.

An impeachment resolution is expected by Christmas.