US Senator Al Franken resigns over sexual harassment claims
What's the story
US Democratic Senator and former comedian Al Franken has announced plans to resign "in the coming weeks" following a series of sexual harassment allegations.
The move comes a day after around 30 Democrats urged him to quit.
Franken would be the first high-profile lawmaker to resign after the emergence of sexual misconduct allegations against several prominent personalities.
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What are the allegations against Franken?
Franken, a two-term senator from Minnesota, is formerly a comic who worked on Saturday Night Live. Over the past few weeks, several women came forward accusing him of groping and sexually harassing them. He resigned after another allegation emerged on Wednesday.
Statement
Franken says some of the allegations 'simply aren't true'
"Today I am announcing that in the coming weeks I will be resigning as a member of the United States Senate," Franken said.
"I may be resigning my seat but I am not giving up my voice," he added.
Franken has apologized to several of the women alleging harassment by him.
However, he said some of the claims "are simply are not true."
On Trump
Franken slams Trump, Roy Moore over assault allegations
Franken also slammed President Donald Trump and Republican Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore, who have both faced sexual misconduct allegations.
Franken said it's ironic that he's resigning while Trump, "who has bragged on tape about his history of sexual assault sits in the Oval Office" and Moore, "who has repeatedly preyed on young girls campaigns for the Senate with" his party's full support.
Personal
Franken isn't the only US lawmaker facing sexual harassment allegations
On Tuesday, Democratic Congressman John Conyers announced his resignation for allegedly sexually harassing his congressional aides. Republican Congressman Trent Franks has also resigned over harassment claims while the US House of Representatives Ethics Committee in investigating Franks and his fellow Republican lawmaker Blake Farenthold.