US Senator Al Franken to resign amid sexual misconduct claims

Posted by Factnews | 6 years ago | 1,928 times



 

Democratic Senator and ex-comedian Al Franken has said he plans to quit "in the coming weeks" after string of sexual harassment allegations.

"I am proud that during my time in the Senate that I have used my power to be a champion of women," the Minnesota senator said from the US Senate floor.

His speech came a day after nearly 30 Democrats called on him to resign.

He would be the most prominent lawmaker to resign amid a wave of misconduct claims against high-profile figures.

Meanwhile, the US House of Representatives Ethics Committee launched sexual harassment investigations into two Republican congressmen.

Trent Franks of Arizona announced he was resigning as the inquiry was announced.

He acknowledged having made two female congressional aides "uncomfortable" by asking them about surrogacy when he and his wife faced infertility.

The committee also said it would investigate Blake Farenthold, who used $84,000 (£62,000) of taxpayers' money to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit with his former spokeswoman.

Over in the Senate, Mr Franken told his colleagues on Thursday: "Today I am announcing that in the coming weeks I will be resigning as a member of the United States Senate.

"I may be resigning my seat but I am not giving up my voice."

The former Saturday Night Live comic and two-term senator has apologised to several women who have accused him of groping and sexual harassment, but he faced mounting pressure to step aside after a new allegation surfaced on Wednesday.

 

 


Source: BBC

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