New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) will resign from the Senate effective August 20, following his conviction last week on bribery charges.

The Senate received his resignation letter on Tuesday, which was entered into the record. Menendez faces potential decades in prison for accepting bribes and other federal charges.

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin indicated that Menendez is unlikely to attend sessions or receive classified briefings during his final two weeks, The Hill has reported.

Menendez, who has served since 2006 and planned to run for reelection as an independent, has vowed to appeal his conviction, asserting his innocence and patriotism.

Written by B.C. Begley