On December 7, Al Franken stood on the floor of the Senate and announced during a speech that he intended to resign his seat after several women accused him of sexual misconduct including claims of groping and unwanted kissing. But with the threat of Roy Moore joining the Senate now over, some Democrats that had called on Franken to resign his own seat are now calling for the Minnesota representative to stay.
The move came just five days before the Alabama special election in which Democrats were hoping to, and ultimately did, steal a long-held Republican seat. Franken was facing increasing pressure from within his own party as senior Democrats realized they couldn't campaign against Roy Moore over allegations of sexual impropriety with Franken still in their midst.
But while Franken announced that he intended to resign, he didn't commit to a date and as yet has not submitted his resignation to Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton. Now, top Democratic Senators are saying they wished they hadn't asked Franken to leave.
Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia told CNN on Monday that Franken should not resign:
Sen. Joe Manchin on Sen. Al Franken: "I definitely think he should not resign." https://t.co/ZIDNuOQXsF
— New Day (@NewDay) December 18, 2017
Meanwhile Talking Points Memo reports that leading Democrat Patrick Leahy of Vermont regrets calling for Franken to step down:
Sen. Pat Leahy (D-VT) said on Monday that he regrets not waiting for the Senate Ethics Committee to investigate sexual misconduct allegations made against Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) before calling on Franken to resign.
“I have stood for due process throughout my years as a prosecutor and in chairing the Judiciary Committee. I regret not doing that this time. The Ethics Committee should have been allowed to investigate and make its recommendation,” Leahy said in a statement.
Politico reports that four Senators, including Manchin and Leahy, feel Franken should not step down. The report also says some top Democratic donors feel this is the wrong move but Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stands by his decision.
Franken has not commented on the calls for him to stay.