Republican senators quickly shot down talk of punishing Sen. Mitt RomneyWillard (Mitt) Mitt RomneySusan Collins challenger: ‘I would vote to remove’ TrumpGOP senators label Trump’s behavior ‘shameful’ but not impeachableCollins will vote to acquit TrumpMORE (Utah) after the party’s 2012 presidential nominee voted to convict President TrumpDonald John TrumpDemocrats tear into Trump’s speech: It was a ‘MAGA rally’READ: Speaker Pelosi’s response to Trump’s State of the Union addressPelosi hammers Trump’s speech: ‘A manifesto of mistruths’MORE on the first article of impeachment, abuse of power.
Romney announced shortly before the votes on the House-passed articles that he would be the only GOP senator to move to convict Trump, saying the president was “guilty of an appalling abuse of public trust.” 
Hs decision sparked an immediate backlash from from top Trump allies, including Donald Trump Jr., who publicly called for Romney to be expelled” from the Republican Party.
But that demand, or a formal punishment from within the caucus, was quickly ruled out by Romney’s GOP colleagues. 
Sen. Mike BraunMichael BraunThe Hill’s Morning Report – App flap delays Iowa caucus resultsOvernight Defense: VA deputy secretary fired | Impeachment trial winds down with closing arguments | Pentagon watchdog to probe use of cancer-linked chemicalSenate drama surrounding Trump trial starts to fizzleMORE (R-Ind.) dismissed suggestions that Rommey be expelled from the party as “silly talk.”
Sen. Kevin CramerKevin John CramerErnst walks back her Biden impeachment remarksMcConnell, Romney vie for influence over Trump’s trialWhat to watch for on Day 8 of the Trump impeachment trialMORE (R-N.D.) also said he didn’t agree with calls to remove him. 
“I don’t really know how you expel someone from the Republican Party. …I’m glad that Mitt is a Republican. I’m disappointed that he’s wrong on this vote,” Cramer said. 
Sen. John CornynJohn CornynSenate Democrats outraise Republicans, but GOP has cash edgeFinal impeachment vote postponed to Wednesday amid internal  GOP spatSenate rejects impeachment witnesses, setting up Trump acquittalMORE (R-Texas), a top adviser to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellDemocrats tear into Trump’s speech: It was a ‘MAGA rally’Omar: Trump address reads ‘as if a coequal branch of government doesn’t exist’Trump bashes ‘Medicare for All’ in swipe at Sanders MORE (R-Ky.), added that the president should focus on his acquittal, not Romneys dissenting vote. 
I think thats a better thing to focus on, he said.
Asked about a formal punishment from the Senate GOP conference, Cornyn also appeared to rule that out. 
We always have instances where individual senators will vote differently from the rest of the conference but I dont think that retaliation is called for, he said.
The Senate voted to acquit Trump on both charges, falling well short of the two-thirds needed to remove him from office.
Romney was one of three GOP senators who were viewed as potential swing votes on whether or not to convict Trump on the two House-passed articles of impeachment: abuse of power and obstruction of justice. 
The two others, Sens. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsCollins: It would be ‘helpful’ for Trump to apologizeSusan Collins challenger: ‘I would vote to remove’ TrumpGOP senators label Trump’s behavior ‘shameful’ but not impeachableMORE (Maine) and Lisa MurkowskiLisa Ann MurkowskiGOP senators label Trump’s behavior ‘shameful’ but not impeachableOvernight Energy: BLM weighs plan to cut environmental reviews | Meet the woman who wants to reinvent recycling | Murkowski says energy plan coming soonCollins will vote to acquit TrumpMORE (Alaska), both announced earlier this week that they would vote to acquit Trump on both charges. 
But they each indicated on Wednesday that they respected Romney’s decision and did not think he should be punished. Collins, asked if Romney should be removed from the party, told reporters “of course not.” 
“I think each of us had to come to our own place and I respect his decision,” Murkowksi said. 
Asked if he should be removed from the party, she added: “Nope, not at all.”