Npr Al Franken City Arts and Sciences August 15 2017

Multiple Democratic senators are calling for the resignation of Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., who has been defendant of sexual misconduct. Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Multiple Democratic senators are calling for the resignation of Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., who has been defendant of sexual misconduct.

Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

Updated at vii:51 p.thousand. ET

Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., plans to announce his resignation on Thursday, a Democratic official tells Minnesota Public Radio. The official spoke to Franken and key aides, MPR News reports.

Franken's office, still, says that "no last decision has been made."

Senator Franken is talking with his family at this time and plans to make an proclamation in D.C. tomorrow. Any reports of a concluding conclusion are inaccurate.

— U.Southward. Senator Al Franken (@SenFranken) Dec six, 2017

If Franken resigns, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, a Democrat, would appoint Franken's successor, who would serve until a special election is held in 2018. The winner of that special election would serve out the balance of Franken'due south term until 2020, MPR also reported.

On Wednesday, more than half of the Democrats in the Senate, including party leadership called for Franken to step down amidst allegations that he inappropriately touched several women.

"I consider Senator Franken a dear friend and greatly respect his accomplishments, but he has a college obligation to his constituents and the Senate, and he should step down immediately," Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement.

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate, tweeted that "Franken'due south beliefs was incorrect. He has admitted to what he did. He should resign from the Senate."

"I'g shocked and appalled by Senator Franken'southward behavior," Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., the Senate's No. three Democrat, tweeted, "It's clear to me that this has been a securely harmful, persistent trouble and a articulate pattern over a long period of time. It'due south time for him to step bated."

Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-Due north.Y.; Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii; Kamala Harris, D-Calif.; Claire McCaskill, D-Mo.; Maggie Hassan, D-Northward.H.; Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis.; Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich.; Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.; Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D.; Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev.; Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill.; Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.; and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., likewise issued statements or postings on social media Wed calling on Franken to pace down.

Gillibrand, in a Facebook post, said she has been "shocked and disappointed" to learn that a colleague whom she is "fond of personally has engaged in behavior towards women that is unacceptable."

In her statement, Hirono cited Time magazine's naming of the "#MeToo" movement every bit its Person of the Year, saying information technology recognized what "women accept e'er known: There are men among united states of america who apply their positions of power and influence to manipulate, harass and assault women." Hirono said she struggled with her decision, calling Franken "a good Senator and a friend. "But," she said, "that cannot alibi his behavior and his treatment of women."

The 14 women were joined by 17 male Senate Democrats: Schumer, Durbin, and Sens. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Joe Donnelly of Indiana, Michael Bennet of Colorado, Patrick Leahy of Vermont, Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Tom Cynic of Delaware, Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, Gary Peters of Michigan, Tom Udall of New Mexico, Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Isle, Cory Booker of New Jersey, Jon Tester of Montana, and Ron Wyden of Oregon. In addition, Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Angus Rex of Maine — both independents who caucus with Senate Democrats — have chosen on Franken to step down. Tom Perez, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, also called on Franken to resign.

There is mounting frustration in the Senate Democratic Caucus almost the allegations against Franken, according to three Senate Democratic aides who work for 3 of the senators calling for Franken to resign.

Franken'due south office said Wednesday that the senator will brand an announcement Thursday but did not provide any more details. "Sexual harassment is unacceptable," Klobuchar, Franken'southward swain Minnesota senator posted on Twitter. "This morning I spoke with Senator Franken and, every bit you know, he volition exist making an announcement almost his hereafter tomorrow morning time. I am confident he volition make the right decision."

Wednesday morning, Politico published a story about a new, bearding accuser against Franken. The woman told Politician that Franken tried to forcibly kiss her in 2006. Franken denies that allegation.

And, Wednesday afternoon, The Atlantic published the account of writer Tina Dupuy who also alleged Franken had groped her in early 2009. It was non clear from the Atlantic report whether the publication had reached out to Franken for comment and, if so, how Franken had responded. In the story, Dupuy describes herself equally a Democrat and takes on the decades-long history of her political party and, more specifically left-leaning feminists coming to the defense of powerful Democratic men — including President Bill Clinton — who are accused of sexual misconduct.

"I have a radical idea: Maybe Democrats tin replace politicians who harass and abuse women with anyone other than an abuser," DuPuy wrote. "Do we really believe our talent puddle will dry out upwards and our caucus will be nonexistent once we kick out all the creepers? I don't."

Several other women have said Franken engaged in sexual misconduct with them — including groping or kissing them or attempting to do so. Nearly but not all of the alleged incidents occurred earlier Franken was elected to the Senate. The Senate Ethics Committee has begun an inquiry into the allegations against Franken.

Speaking to Minnesota Public Radio in late November, Franken said at the time that he did not intend to resign. "I'm going to do my job, and I'grand going to get forrard," he said. "I'm going to take responsibility. I'1000 going to be held answerable, and I'thousand going to try to be productive in the fashion I speak about this."

"I have been reflecting on this," the two-term senator also told MPR early last week. "I want to be a ameliorate human."

The avalanche of calls Wednesday for Franken to pace down came a twenty-four hour period after Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., announced his resignation later on more than l years in the Firm of Representatives. The end of Conyers' half-century tenure in part was the result of days of pressure level after multiple allegations of sexual harassment were leveled against him. Another House Democrat, Rep. Ruben Kihuen of Nevada, is also under pressure to resign later a erstwhile campaign staffer alleged he had sexually harassed her.

Hither is a list of the Democrats who accept chosen on Franken to resign:

Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis.
"I believe it is best for Senator Franken to resign."

Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo.
"Sexual harassment and misconduct are never acceptable. I understand Senator Franken will brand an announcement tomorrow morning, and I'm confident he'll exercise the right thing and footstep bated."

Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J.
"Look at that place's a pattern here and I thought there was a process that could perchance deal with this pattern. I recollect today'due south revelations just farther add together to a fact pattern here that'due south unacceptable. I retrieve it's time that he steps downward and this is an opportunity for him to speak."

Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio
"I have listened to my female colleagues, to women I piece of work with and women in my life. And I concur the time has come for Senator Franken to stride aside."

Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.
"Senator Franken'south actions are disturbing, egregious, and demonstrate a pattern of serious misconduct and abuse. It is time for Senator Franken to resign from part."

Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del.
"Al Franken has been a friend to many in the Senate — Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike — but these allegations are deeply troubling, especially as the number has grown. I believe it's fourth dimension for him to resign."

Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa.
"I agree with my colleagues who have stepped forward and called on Senator Franken to resign. Nosotros can't just believe women when it'south convenient."

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev.
"Sexual harassment in whatsoever context is unacceptable. I'thousand disappointed & disgusted with the allegations concerning @SenFranken, and he should be held accountable."

Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind.
"Senator Franken'south conduct and behavior are unacceptable and he should resign."

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill.
"I am deeply disappointed by Senator Franken'south behavior. He must footstep aside."

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., No. 2 Democrat in the Senate
"Senator Franken's beliefs was incorrect. He has admitted to what he did. He should resign from the Senate."

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.
"Information technology'south clear the American people don't expect lightly on these kinds of actions, no matter who they're committed past, and the number of complaints confronting Senator Franken is a concern. I think resignation is the right thing for him to practice."

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-Northward.Y.
"While Senator Franken is entitled to take the Ethics Committee conclude its review, I believe information technology would exist better for our country if he sent a clear message that whatsoever kind of mistreatment of women in our society isn't acceptable by stepping bated to permit someone else serve."

Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif.
"Sexual harassment and misconduct should not be allowed by anyone and should not occur anywhere. I believe the all-time affair for Senator Franken to do is step downwards."

Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H.
"It is articulate that Al Franken has engaged in a pattern of egregious and unacceptable behavior toward women. He should resign."

Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.Yard.
"Senator Franken needs to step down and we all demand to exercise more to brand clear that sexual harassment and assail are unacceptable."

Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D.
"We must commit to nothing tolerance — which is where I believe nosotros as a country and Congress should exist — and that means Senator Franken should stride downwards."

Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii
"Today, I am calling on my colleague Al Franken to step aside. I've struggled with this decision because he's been a good Senator and I consider him a friend. Simply that cannot excuse his beliefs and his mistreatment of women."

Sen. Angus Rex, I-Maine, caucuses with Senate Democrats
"A big office of the national chat we're having on sexual assault involves listening advisedly and with respect to women. I urge Sen. Franken to do simply that: Listen to the Senate's female leaders and evaluate if he can go on to be an effective Senator for people of Minnesota, given the growing number of allegations confronting him. For me, I call back information technology's time for my friend to resign."

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.
"Sexual harassment is unacceptable. This morning I spoke with Senator Franken and, as you know, he will exist making an declaration about his future tomorrow morning. I am confident he volition brand the right determination."

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.
"Senator Franken's situation has become untenable. I am concerned that even a prompt Ethics Committee investigation and recommendations will non come soon enough. He has to pace aside."

Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass.
"I join my colleagues in calling for Senator Franken to step aside and resign. Sexual harassment is unacceptable, completely inappropriate and cannot exist tolerated."

Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo.
"Al Franken should resign."

Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore.
"Senator Franken has said he will make an announcement tomorrow, and I promise that he will practice the right thing. It is in the best interest of our country for him to step aside."

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Launder., the No 3. Democrat in the Senate
"I'm shocked and appalled past Senator Franken's beliefs. Information technology's clear to me that this has been a deeply harmful, persistent trouble and a clear pattern over a long period of time. Information technology'south time for him to pace aside."

Tom Perez, chairman of the Democratic National Committee
Sen. Al Franken should step downwards. Everyone must share the responsibility of edifice a civilization of trust and respect for women in everyday industry and workplace, and that includes our party."

Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich.
"I think the time has come up for Senator Franken to pace downwardly."

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., caucuses with Senate Democrats
"Sen. Franken has said that he will be making an announcement about his political future tomorrow. The right thing is for him to resign."

Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-Northward.Y., Senate Minority Leader
"Senator Franken should resign. I consider Senator Franken a dear friend and greatly respect his accomplishments, simply he has a higher obligation to his constituents and the Senate, and he should step down immediately."

Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich.
"Sexual harassment is unacceptable. I believe Senator Franken should exercise the correct thing and resign."

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont.
"Elected officials must be held to a high standard, Al Franken is no exception. It'south fourth dimension for him to stride downwardly."

Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M.
"Senator Franken should send a strong message that sexual misconduct is unacceptable in any setting and step down."

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.
"Given what nosotros have learned in recent weeks, I expect Senator Franken to step aside."

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore.
"I expect that Senator Franken volition announce his resignation tomorrow. It is the right thing to practice given this serial of serious allegations."

NPR congressional correspondent Susan Davis and NPR producer Brakkton Booker contributed to this report.

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Source: https://www.npr.org/2017/12/06/568832606/franken-under-pressure-as-group-democratic-senators-call-for-him-to-resign

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