Durbin, Duckworth Call For Al Franken's Resignation

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Both of Illinois' Democratic senators this week joined a list of lawmakers urging U.S. Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota to resign as new allegations of sexual harassment emerged. "Senator Franken’s behavior was wrong. He has admitted to what he did. He should resign from the Senate," Sen. Dick Durbin tweeted on Wednesday. Fellow Sen. Tammy Duckworth also called upon Franken to step down.

On Twitter, Duckworth said she was "deeply disappointed" by Franken's conduct, adding, "He must step aside." She issued a statement Wednesday thanking those who have come forward with stories of being sexually harassed.

"Your courage and strength in driving this long-overdue national conversation is awe-inspiring," Duckworth said. "As national leaders, we must hold ourselves to a higher standard—and we must lead by example to ensure every person is treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. This isn’t about Democrats or Republicans, it’s about our society. It’s about who we are as a people and the kind of country we want our daughters—and our sons—to grow up in."

President Donald Trump also tweeted his outrage over Franken, referring to the senator as "Al Frankenstien."

Franken announced his intention to resign Thursday during a speech on the Senate floor, calling it "ironic" that he was resigning while Trump — who has also been accused of harassment and was the subject of an infamous "Access Hollywood" video in which he could be heard boasting about grabbing women by their genitalia — is still in office.

"In the coming weeks I will be resigning as a member of the United States Senate," Franken said. "There is some irony that I am leaving while a man who bragged on tape about his history of sexual assault sits in the Oval Office, and a man who preyed on young girls runs for Senate with the full support of his party."

Franken: 'Ironic' I'm Resigning While Trump Is In Office

At least seven women have accused Franken of sexual misconduct, ranging from groping to unwanted touching to forcible kissing. The first allegation surfaced last month when radio host Leeann Tweeden accused him of groping her during a USO event in 2006.

Several online petitions called for Franken to step down, although a group of 36 women who worked alongside Franken at "Saturday Night Live" have signed a statement defending him.

Image: Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., pauses while speaking to the media on Capitol Hill, Monday, Nov. 27, 2017 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)