PIERRE — The South Dakota Senate voted to suspend Sen. Julie Frye-Mueller from office Thursday afternoon following a showdown on the Senate floor with Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden.

The vote suspended the rules in place for lawmakers, which Rhoden criticized for depriving Frye-Mueller of her due-process rights. Suspending the rules allowed the Senate to suspend Frye-Mueller while it crafts a select committee to investigate her conduct.

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