Al Franken faces sexual assault accusation

Senate Democrats condemned him. No Images? Click here         Al Franken Hit With Sexual Assault Accusation Anchorwoman and sportscaster Leeann Tweeden said Thursday that comedian Al Franken kissed and groped her without her consent during a USO tour in December 2006. “I couldn’t believe it. He groped me, without my consent, while I was asleep,” she wrote. “I felt violated all over again. Embarrassed. Belittled. Humiliated. How dare anyone grab my breasts like this and think it’s funny?” Franken, who was elected to the Senate in 2008, responded to Tweeden’s account in a press statement Thursday. “I certainly don’t remember the rehearsal for the skit in the same way, but I send my sincerest apologies to Leeann,” he said. “As to the photo, it was clearly intended to be funny but wasn’t. I shouldn’t have done it." He later issued a longer statement, apologizing to Tweeden and calling for an ethics investigation of his behavior. About two dozen Democratic senators have come forward with statements denouncing Franken’s alleged behavior. Most of the senators called for an ethics investigation, and many acknowledged that workplace sexual harassment has long been ignored. Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) have vowed to take campaign money they received from Franken’s PAC and donate it to charity.  READ MORE     WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING? House Republicans passed a tax bill, a major step forward for a House GOP that has thus far been unable to deliver on any major piece of President Donald Trump’s agenda. No one seemed to care that the bill isn’t particularly popular. READ MORE A mistrial was declared in the bribery trial for Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) He was indicted earlier this year on 14 charges, including public corruption. READ MORE Parts of the Keystone Pipeline were shut down after 5,000 barrels of oils leaked in South Dakota. TransCanada Corp has not given a reason for the incident. READ MORE    .     ICYMI The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is touting major fundraising numbers fueled by increased grassroots activism, continuing a streak of record-breaking donations ahead of next year’s midterm elections.   The FCC voted to remove key roadblocks to increased consolidation among media companies, potentially unleashing new deals among TV, radio and newspaper owners as they seek to better compete with online media.   Democrats may deny it, but this bill is a handout to payday lenders.    . Want more?  Interior Secretary Failed To Keep Proper Travel Records, Watchdog Group Says   Donald Trump Conspicuously Silent On Roy Moore   Trump To Lift Ban On Import Of Elephant Trophies From 2 African Nations   How will Trump’s administration impact you? Sign up for our email and find out. Did a friend send you this? Subscribe here. Like what you see? Share it. Want more? Here are two other newsletters you'll love: The Morning Email and Must Reads. ©2017 HuffPost | 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003 You are receiving this email because you signed up for updates from HuffPost Feedback | Privacy Policy | Unsubscribe    . - - Preferences  |  Unsubscribe