Democratic senators refused to call for Democratic Sen. Al Franken to step down Thursday, instead requesting an investigation from the ethics committee into a report from a female news anchor that the Minnesota senator harassed and groped her.
Some Democratic senators said that they believed the allegation from Leeann Tweeden that Franken kissed and groped her without her consent in 2006 when the two were on a USO tour. Franken responded that he doesn’t remember the incident in which Tweeden said he forcibly kissed her and that a photograph of him groping her while she was asleep was meant as a joke but in poor taste.
“I hope and expect that the Ethics Committee will fully investigate this troubling incident, as they should with any credible allegation of sexual harassment,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
“There is never an excuse for this behavior — ever,” added Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill. “What Senator Franken did was wrong, and it should be referred to the Ethics Committee for review.”
Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., another member of Democratic leadership, also called for an ethics investigation.
When asked if Stabenow believes Tweeden’s account, she responded, “I certainly believe women when they speak out. I am predisposed to believe the women who have the courage to speak out.”
Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., wouldn’t say whether there should be an ethics investigation or if Franken should step down, noting only that she was pleased that Franken apologized for the incident.
Other senators called Franken’s conduct disgusting.
“I’m shocked and concerned,” said Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo. “The behavior described is completely unacceptable. Comedy is no excuse for inappropriate conduct, and I believe there should be an ethics investigation.”
McCaskill recounted on Wednesday that she was sexually assaulted while serving as a congressional intern more than 40 years ago.
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., also called the conduct unacceptable and echoed the calls for an ethics probe.
Franken said in a second statement on Thursday that he would cooperate with any ethics investigation.
“I don’t know what was in my head when I took that picture, and it doesn’t matter,” Franken said. “There’s no excuse.”
Several other Democrats refused to comment because they served on the Ethics Committee, including panel Vice Chairman Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del.
