Senator last night: Reports he’s decided
Embattled Minnesota U.S. Sen. Al Franken denied last night he has decided to resign today, knocking down a public radio station report in his home state that he’s quitting in the wake of sexual harassment allegations.
Franken stated on his official Twitter page that he’s “talking with his family at this time and plans to make an announcement in D.C. tomorrow. Any reports of a final decision are inaccurate.”
Minnesota Public Radio reported earlier in the day that a “Democratic official who has spoken to Al Franken and key aides” said the former “Saturday Night Live” comic would quit today.
‘He should step down immediately.’ — CHUCK SCHUMER Senate minority leader
The news of his possible resignation came as female senators abandoned him yesterday over the mounting allegations of sexual misconduct that are roiling Capitol Hill.
A majority of the Senate’s Democrats called on the two-term lawmaker to get out after another woman emerged saying Franken forcibly tried to kiss her in 2006. That brought to at least seven the number of women accusing him of sexual impropriety.
Franken, the former comedian who made his name on “SNL,” scheduled an announcement for today. No topic was specified, but Democratic senators said they expected their liberal colleague to resign.
“Enough is enough,” said U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York. “We need to draw a line in the sand and say none of it is OK, none of it is acceptable, and we, as elected leaders, should absolutely be held to a higher standard.”
Gillibrand was the first to