Two of the senators who have been supporting Monserrate allege that the push for him to be removed from office was not motivated by his crime, but is instead political retribution for the Senate Coup that took place back in June. Capital Tonight's Kaitlyn Ross has more.

NEW YORK STATE – "I think people are upset. People are upset about a number of different things. They're upset about political things, they're upset about the charges," said Senator Kevin Parker.

While Senator Hiram Monserrate's conviction of misdemeanor assault for abusing his girlfriend is the reason the Senate launched an investigation into whether or not he is fit to serve, some Senate Democrats say it isn't the whole story.

"I just think that everyone's not really being up front about why we're doing this, why we're going down this road," Parker said.

Parker says this vote isn't about domestic violence, but rather retribution for Monserrate taking part in the coup that through Albany into gridlock for 31 days this summer. And he's not alone. The other coup-conspirator, Pedro Espada Jr., agrees.

"If people are motivated by vengeance, that should cause everyone concern," Espada said.

Espada has proposed legislation that would immediately remove any Senator convicted of a violent misdemeanor from service immediately, but says that it would not be retroactive, and therefore not factor into Monserrate's fate.

"We need to keep our eye on the prize here and the prize is precedent," said Espada.

"The president we're setting is that we're not going to stand for domestic violence, that is this age, in this state, that this kind of behavior is totally appalling," said Senator Brian X. Foley.

Foley introduced the first resolution to expel Hiram Monserrate. He disagrees with Senators Parker and Espada and says it's solely about domestic violence.

"We should have no tolerance for that, particularly on the floor of the New York State Senate," Foley said.