Sen. Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth WarrenHillicon Valley: Google lifting ban on political ads | DHS taking steps on cybersecurity | Controversy over TV 'misinformation rumor mills' Watchdog questions legality of using cellphone data without warrants The progressive way to ease student debt burdens MORE (D-Mass.) on Thursday chastised Democratic colleague Sen. Al Franken
Alan (Al) Stuart FrankenHarrison seen as front-runner to take over DNC at crucial moment The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by the UAE Embassy in Washington, DC - Trump, Biden clash over transition holdup, pandemic plans The Hill's Morning Report - Fearing defeat, Trump claims 'illegal' ballots MORE (Minn.) after a woman accused him of groping and kissing her without her consent.
"The behavior reported today is unacceptable and deeply disappointing," Warren said in a statement, joining a number of other Democrats in condemning the reported behavior.
"I am glad Senator Franken has acknowledged as much and has agreed to cooperate with an ethics investigation. Women who come forward are brave and deserve to be respected," Warren continued.
"We're not going to fix the problems of sexual harassment and assault until men take responsibility for their actions and change their behavior."
Her remarks came after Franken issued an apology to Leeann Tweeden, a radio anchor, who said the former "Saturday Night Live" writer groped her in December 2006 while she was sleeping when returning from a USO tour overseas.
Tweeden also said that Franken forcibly kissed her as the two were alone rehearsing for a USO skit.
“The first thing I want to do is apologize: to Leeann, to everyone else who was part of that tour, to everyone who has worked for me, to everyone I represent, and to everyone who counts on me to be an ally and supporter and champion of women," Franken, who entered office in 2009, said in a statement apologizing for the incident.
Franken also joined Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellGraham, Trump huddle to talk GOP's 2022 strategy Officers set for grilling over mob attack Former RNC chair to Republicans looking for new Trump party: 'There's the door' MORE (R-Ky.) and a list of other lawmakers across the aisle who have called for an ethics investigation following Tweeden's allegations.
Tweeden has since said she accepts Franken's apology.
