Democratic senators demand Franken resign
Colleagues’ chorus rises after another accusation
WASHINGTON – Sen. Al Franken’s political career is in peril after dozens of his Democratic Senate colleagues and the chamber’s leadership called on him to resign his seat amid a slew of accusations of sexual harassment and groping.
The Minnesota lawmaker’s office said he planned to respond Thursday.
Democrats pointed to their condemnation as a contrast to the Republican Party’s support for President Trump, who has been accused by several women of similar behavior, and Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore, who received an endorsement from Trump and a cash infusion from the Republican National Committee this week despite accusations of sexual misconduct with teenage girls. Trump and Moore have denied the allegations.
Hours after a report by Politico about a new accuser against Franken, senators including Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Kamala Harris of California and Sherrod Brown of Ohio, said the Minnesota lawmaker must go.
Politico cited an unidentified Democratic congressional aide who said Franken cornered her in a studio in 2006 and tried to kiss her. Franken was elected in 2008 and had a long career as a comedian before that.
“I consider Senator Franken a dear friend and greatly respect his accomplishments, but he has a higher obligation to his constituents and the Senate, and he should step down immediately,” Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement.
“It would be better for our country if he sent a clear message that any kind of mistreatment of women in our society isn’t acceptable by stepping aside to let someone else serve,” Gillibrand posted on Facebook.
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., weighed in: “The near daily barrage of allegations of sexual misconduct against Sen. Franken are extremely concerning to all of us in the Senate. ... I do not believe he can effectively serve the people of Minnesota in the U.S. Senate any longer.”
A Senate ethics panel opened a preliminary inquiry after at least six women accused Franken of groping and other unwelcome conduct.
If Franken resigns, the state’s Democratic governor, Mark Dayton, would appoint a successor to serve until the next election in 2020 or until a special election could be held.
Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., the longest-serving member of the House, announced Tuesday that he was leaving his seat after multiple sexual harassment claims against him.
Democrats in the House and Senate have called for the resignation of three party members accused of sexual harassment or misconduct, including Rep. Ruben Kihuen of Nevada.
Trump and the RNC are trying to help Moore across the finish line, though nine women — many of them identified — provided accounts about their experiences with Moore, including one who said he molested her when she was 14.
McConnell, who initially suggested the Senate would expel the Alabama candidate if he were elected next week, has since said Moore’s future is “up to the people of Alabama.”
“Where are the Republican voices? Where is their outrage?” Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, said, calling the stance on Moore a “totally inappropriate position.”
The Democratic Party is trying to inoculate itself against charges of hypocrisy, said Jennifer Duffy at the non-partisan Cook Political Report. “It’s hard to accuse Republicans of waging war on women and to be the party that says we are fully supportive of women’s rights and things like equal pay and then not react” to harassment charges, she said.
Franken has apologized and said he welcomes the ethics investigation. His spokesman released a statement saying Franken “has never intentionally engaged in this kind of conduct.”
Stephanie Kemplin of Ohio said Franken cupped her breast as the two posed for a photo in 2003. Broadcaster Leeann Tweeden said Franken pretended to grope her while she was sleeping.