Out Senator Tammy Baldwin has called on fellow Democratic Senator Al Franken to resign after multiple women have accused him of sexual harassment and misbehaviour. Nine other women serving in the senate and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi have also said he should resign.
Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), Kamala Harris (CA), Maggie Hassan (NH), Claire McCaskill (MO), Mazie Hirono (HI), Patty Murray (WA), Tammy Baldwin (WI), Debbie Stabenow (MI), Heidi Heitkamp (ND), and Maria Cantwell (WA) have called on Franken to resign.
They have been joined by fellow senators Bob Casey (PA), Joe Donnelly (IN), Sherrod Brown (OH), Ed Markey (MA), Michael Bennet (CO), Ron Wyden (OR) and Dick Durbin (IL).
Earlier this morning, a former congressional aide told Politico that Senator Franken tried to forcibly kiss her without consent.
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“He was between me and the door and he was coming at me to kiss me. It was very quick and I think my brain had to work really hard to be like ‘Wait, what is happening?’ But I knew whatever was happening was not right and I ducked,” she told the outlet. “I was really startled by it and I just sort of booked it towards the door and he said, ‘It’s my right as an entertainer.’”
Yesterday, the longest serving member of the House of Representatives, Democrat John Conyers, resigned following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. Another woman has stepped forward today, alleging Conyers groped her while she volunteered for his campaign.
Franken says he will make a statement on Thursday. He is expected to resign.
I believe it is best for Senator Franken to resign.
— Sen. Tammy Baldwin (@SenatorBaldwin) December 6, 2017
WATCH LIVE: Female Democratic lawmakers hold press conference, calling for Sen. Al Franken to resign amid sexual misconduct allegations https://t.co/08AWWBl3ck pic.twitter.com/19c952tbnl
— CBS News (@CBSNews) December 6, 2017
I expect that Senator Franken will announce his resignation tomorrow. It is the right thing to do given this series of serious allegations.
— Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) December 6, 2017