When the U.S. Senate votes on an $827 billion economic stimulus package, possibly today, Sen. Judd Gregg will not be voting on it.

Gregg, R-N.H., said last week that he stepped aside from any involvement in the plan once he knew he would be nominated by President Barack Obama to be the next secretary of commerce.

Asked by reporters last Tuesday if he would remain active in passing the stimulus bill until he is confirmed as commerce secretary by the Senate, Gregg replied he would not.

He said he would take a cue from Vice President Joseph Biden before he was sworn into office.

"I'm going to take, I suspect, the position that was taken by the vice president, who remained a member of the Senate but did not participate" or vote, Gregg said.

He said last Tuesday that he had not "finally decided that," but the following day, appearing on the cable television network CNBC, Gregg said he had decided, saying, "I've recused myself from voting during the pendency of my nomination."