Washington: Millions of Americans are expected to watch on live TV on Wednesday (Thursday in Australia) as the House kicks off public hearings on whether to impeach President Donald Trump. Just don't expect many Republican senators to be among them, if a quick sampling of them is to be believed.

Of eight Senate Republicans questioned on Tuesday evening, seven said they wouldn't watch the start of the Democratic-led process or suggested it wasn't a priority.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, will be busy with affairs in his own chamber. Credit:Bloomberg

"Tomorrow I'm going to be paying attention to what we're doing in the Senate," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Senator John Barrasso said he'd be chairing an Environment and Public Works Committee session. He invited reporters to attend - an offer that even on a slow day on Capitol Hill would likely garner few takers.