Sen. Donnelly One Of Many Senators Calling For Franken To Resign

ACROSS INDIANA — A slew of Democratic senators, including Indiana Sen. Joe Donnelly, called for Sen. Al Franken to resign on Wednesday after another woman accused the Minnesota Democrat of trying to forcibly kiss her during a taping of his radio show in 2006.

Donnelly tweeted the following statement Wednesday afternoon, stating Franken's "conduct and behavior are unacceptable and he should resign." "I believe there is more work to be done to protect victims of sexual harassment and to reform the system of filing and settling harassment claims in Congress," said Donnelly's statement. "I support reforms to protect victims, increase transparency and ensure that taxpayers do not have to pay for settlements made by members of Congress."

Franken's office said that he would make an announcement Thursday. It did not say whether he would resign.
The Minnesota senator and former comedian has been accused of sexual misconduct by at least six other women. The allegations began when radio host Leeann Tweeden accused him of groping her during a USO event in 2006.

Franken's new accuser, who was working as a Democratic congressional aide, told Politico that he approached her when her boss left the radio studio and she was gathering her belongings to follow him out. She turned around to see Franken in her face and ducked to avoid him planting a kiss on her.

"It's my right as an entertainer," the aide said Franken told her as she left the studio. "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?'"

In a statement to Politico, Franken fervently denied the allegation, saying: "This allegation is categorically not true, and the idea that I would claim this as my right as an entertainer is preposterous."

Politico withheld the aide's name t0 protect her identity but reported that two of her former colleagues independently corroborated the account.

Following the report of the new allegation Wednesday, several other Democratic senators called on Franken to step down (some statements seen below). Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Sen Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Sen. Kamala Harris of California, Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan were among those saying Franken should resign.

"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. But that cannot excuse his behavior and his mistreatment of women," Sen. Hirono tweeted.

"It is clear that Al Franken has engaged in a pattern of egregious and unacceptable behavior toward women. He should resign," Sen. Hassan tweeted.

Sen. McCaskill added: "Al Franken should resign."

Joe is calling for Senator Franken to resign. pic.twitter.com/ff5i1rnhJs
— Senator Joe Donnelly (@SenDonnelly) December 6, 2017

Al Franken should resign.
— Claire McCaskill (@clairecmc) December 6, 2017

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. But that cannot excuse his behavior and his mistreatment of women. (thread)
— Senator Mazie Hirono (@maziehirono) December 6, 2017

Sexual harassment is unacceptable. I believe Senator Franken should do the right thing and resign.
— Sen. Debbie Stabenow (@SenStabenow) December 6, 2017

I believe it is best for Senator Franken to resign.
— Sen. Tammy Baldwin (@SenatorBaldwin) December 6, 2017

Franken has apologized for his behavior and said he "let a lot of people down." He's also agreed to participate in a Senate ethics committee investigation into his alleged conduct.

Watch: Multiple U.S. Senators Calling For Sen. Al Franken To Resign

Photo credit: Carolyn Kaster/Associated Press

Patch editor Ben Feuerherd contributed to this piece.