Franken to give multiple ‘final speeches’ before leaving Congress

Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) said Wednesday that he would make the first of “a series of final speeches” before he officially resigns from the Senate following allegations of sexual misconduct. 

“I’m taking to the Senate floor to give the first of what will be a series of final speeches, this one focused on my work to improve education on behalf of Minnesotans and all Americans,” Franken tweeted.

The senator resigned earlier in December over mounting allegations of sexual misconduct, caving to overwhelming pressure from roughly two dozen Democratic colleagues in the Senate. 

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In his resignation speech earlier this month, the former comedian said he would leave office in a few weeks, while denying some of the accounts of his past behavior with women and saying he felt he did nothing to dishonor the Senate. 

Franken has not provided any more details on the exact date of his departure, but suggested he would leave as the Senate finished its year-end efforts on tax reform and funding the federal government. 

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton (D) has appointed Lt. Gov. Tina Smith (D) to replace Franken. She said she plans on running in November 2018 in order to finish out Franken’s term, which lasts until 2020.