Joining over thirty of his colleagues, Senate Democrat Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (NY) has belatedly jumped onto the call for Minnesota Democrat Senator Al Franken’s resignation after a bevy of women came forward to charge him with various degrees of sexual misconduct.
In a short statement issued on Wednesday, Schumer said, “I consider Senator Franken a dear friend and greatly respect his accomplishments, but he has a higher obligation to his constituents and the Senate, and he should step down immediately.”
Already the Senate Democrat’s number two man, Dick Durbin (IL), and the party’s assistant leader, Patty Murray (WA), had joined New York Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand’s campaign to force Franken to resign his seat.
With Schumer finally adding his voice to the call for Franken to step down, that brings all three of the top Senate minority leaders to bear on Franken.
The call for Franken to leave the U.S. Senate came on the heels of yet another accuser coming forward with charges of untoward sexual conduct.
On Wednesday morning, journalist Tina Dupuy accused Sen. Franken of sexual misconduct in a piece published by The Atlantic. Dupuy claimed the Minnesota Senator groped her in 2009 at a Media Matters party during Barack Obama’s inauguration.
The list of Democrats calling for Franken to leave the upper chamber has grown to more than 30, with most taking to Twitter to announce their position on his resignation.
As elected officials, we should be held to the highest standards—not the lowest. The allegations against Sen. Franken describe behavior that cannot be tolerated. While he’s entitled to an Ethics Committee hearing, I believe he should step aside to let someone else serve.
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) December 6, 2017
Al Franken should resign.
— Claire McCaskill (@clairecmc) December 6, 2017
It is clear that Al Franken has engaged in a pattern of egregious and unacceptable behavior toward women. He should resign.
— Sen. Maggie Hassan (@SenatorHassan) 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 and misconduct should not be allowed by anyone and should not occur anywhere. I believe the best thing for Senator Franken to do is step down.
— Kamala Harris (@SenKamalaHarris) December 6, 2017
I’m shocked and appalled by Senator Franken’s behavior. It’s clear to me that this has been a deeply harmful, persistent problem and a clear pattern over a long period of time.
It’s time for him to step aside.
— Senator Patty Murray (@PattyMurray) 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
I agree with my colleagues who have stepped forward today and called on Senator Franken to resign. We can’t just believe women when it’s convenient.
— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) December 6, 2017
Joe is calling for Senator Franken to resign. pic.twitter.com/ff5i1rnhJs
— Senator Joe Donnelly (@SenDonnelly) December 6, 2017
I have listened to them. I have listened to my female colleagues, to women I work with and women in my life. And I agree the time has come for Senator Franken to step aside.
— Sherrod Brown (@SenSherrodBrown) December 6, 2017
Senator Franken’s behavior was wrong. He has admitted to what he did. He should resign from the Senate.
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) December 6, 2017
We must commit to zero tolerance – which is where I believe we as a country and Congress should be – and that means Senator Franken should step down. Full statement: pic.twitter.com/4qrZB0mBTo
— Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (@SenatorHeitkamp) December 6, 2017
I join my colleagues in calling for Senator Franken to step aside and resign. Sexual harassment is unacceptable, completely inappropriate and cannot be tolerated.
— Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) December 6, 2017
Sexual harassment and misconduct are never acceptable. I understand Senator Franken will make an announcement tomorrow morning, and I'm confident he'll do the right thing and step aside.
— Michael Bennet (@SenBennetCO) December 6, 2017
Senator Franken’s actions are disturbing, egregious, and demonstrate a pattern of serious misconduct and abuse. It is time for Senator Franken to resign from office.
— Sen. Maria Cantwell (@SenatorCantwell) December 6, 2017
Senator Franken needs to step down and we all need to do more to make clear that sexual harassment and assault are unacceptable.
— Martin Heinrich (@MartinHeinrich) December 6, 2017
It’s clear the American people don’t look lightly on these kinds of actions, no matter who they’re committed by, and the number of complaints against Senator Franken is a concern. I think resignation is the right thing for him to do.
— Sen Dianne Feinstein (@SenFeinstein) December 6, 2017
Senator Franken has said he will make an announcement tomorrow, and I hope that he will do the right thing. It is in the best interest of our country for him to step aside.
— Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) December 6, 2017
I expect that Senator Franken will announce his resignation tomorrow. It is the right thing to do given this series of serious allegations.
— Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) December 6, 2017
Al Franken has been a friend to many in the Senate – Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike – but these allegations are deeply troubling, especially as the number has grown. I believe it's time for him to resign.
— Senator Tom Carper (@SenatorCarper) December 6, 2017
I am deeply disappointed by Senator Franken’s behavior. He must step aside. My full statement here: https://t.co/Ad0L8WC0Fr
— Tammy Duckworth (@SenDuckworth) December 6, 2017
Senator Franken should send a strong message that sexual misconduct is unacceptable in any setting and step down.
— Tom Udall (@SenatorTomUdall) December 6, 2017
I think the time has come for Senator Franken to step down
— Senator Gary Peters (@SenGaryPeters) December 6, 2017
Cory Booker urges Al Franken to quit over 'what seems to be a pattern' of sexual misdeeds https://t.co/98v2XoVHVm pic.twitter.com/pPubXywY7r
— NorthJersey.com (@northjersey) December 6, 2017
Elected officials must be held to a high standard, Al Franken is no exception. It’s time for him to step down.
— Senator Jon Tester (@SenatorTester) December 6, 2017
My statement on Sen. Franken: pic.twitter.com/SuI2gmHHRk
— Senator Angus King (@SenAngusKing) December 6, 2017
Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (RI), Elizabeth Warren (MA), Chris Murphy (CT), Bernie Sanders (VT), and Patrick Leahy (VT) also issued statements or made comments to the press calling for Franken’s removal.
The Twitter campaign is a show of force from colleagues that Franken will not be able to ignore. Indeed, Franken’s office has already said the Sen. will be making an announcement Thursday. Most expect Franken will announce his resignation at that time.
Senator Franken will be making an announcement tomorrow. More details to come.
— U.S. Senator Al Franken (@SenFranken) December 6, 2017
Follow Warner Todd Huston on Twitter @warnerthuston.
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