A spokesman for the senator said he could not attend because of Senate business.

He occasionally took a break from Senate business to entertain audiences with his fiddle.

But she had to cancel a fund-raiser because of Senate business.

He then conducted his usual Senate business without reference to the charges.

Democrats, in turn, have vowed to block virtually all but the most essential Senate business if the rules are altered.

That now seems likely to happen in January, with other Senate business set aside until the case is resolved.

Rarely if ever did he intrude on Senate business.

Let there be a normal meeting full of the daily minutiae of Senate business.

He added that constituents often went to the headquarters for Senate business.

Democrats have vowed to bring Senate business to a virtual halt if they do.