Several Democratic senators have called on Sen. Al Franken to resign after several women came forward to accuse him of sexual impropriety.
The calls for his resignation began with a group of six female senators, Sen. Gillibrand, Hassan, Hirono, Harris, McCaskill, and Murray. They were soon joined by several colleagues and DNC Chair Tom Perez.
“While Senator Franken is entitled to have the Ethics Committee conclude its review, I believe 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,” wrote Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in a Facebook post.
“Sen. Al Franken should step down,” Perez wrote. “Everyone must share the responsibility of building a culture of trust and respect for women in every industry and workplace, and that includes our party.”
The calls for Franken’s resignation come after talk radio host Leeann Tweeden first accused the senator on Nov. 16 of forcibly kissing her and groping her while she was asleep during a USO tour of the Middle East in 2006. In the past three weeks, five other women have come forward with accusations of sexual misconduct against Franken.
On Wednesday, Politico reported that a seventh woman — a former Democratic congressional aide — had come forward accusing Franken of trying to forcibly kiss her in 2006 while he was the host of a radio show. He has denied the latest accusation.
There is currently a Senate Ethics Committee hearing into the incidents. Franken has said he will cooperate with the investigation. Franken’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday morning.
Sen. Maggie Hassan tweeted, “It is clear that Al Franken has engaged in a pattern of egregious and unacceptable behavior toward women. He should resign.”
Sen. Mazie Hirono wrote, “I’ve struggled with this decision because he’s been a good Senator and I consider him a friend. But that cannot excuse his behavior and his mistreatment of women.”
Sen. Claire McCaskill simply tweeted, “Al Franken should resign.”
Sen. Kamala Harris wrote on Twitter, “Sexual harassment and misconduct should not be allowed by anyone and should not occur anywhere. I believe the best thing for Senator Franken to do is step down.”
Sen. Patty Murray echoed the calls for his resignation in a statement. “I’m shocked and appalled by Sen. Franken’s behavior,” she said. “It’s clear to me that this has been a deeply harmful, persistent problem and a clear pattern over a long period of time. It’s time for him to step aside.”
Sen. Joe Donnelly wrote, “Senator Franken’s conduct and behavior are unacceptable and he should resign.”
Sen. Bob Casey joined the calls, writing, “I agree with my colleagues who have stepped forward today and called on Senator Franken to resign. We can’t just believe women when it’s convenient.”
Sen. Sherrod Brown wrote, about the wave of sexual misconduct allegations emerging across the country, “I have listened to them. I have listened to my female colleagues, to women I work with and women in my life. And I agree the time has come for Senator Franken to step aside.”
