Sen. Al Franken Reiterates That He Won't Resign In Capitol Hill Remarks : NPR
Al Franken
Franken  Reiterates  He  Won't Resign: 'I Know That I've Let A Lot Of People Down'
 Sen. Al Franken  said Monday  he  would not resign from office after allegations of sexual harassment have been leveled against  him .
"I know that I've let a lot of people down "  Franken  said  noting that  he  was looking forward to getting back to work. "My colleagues  my staff  my supporters and everyone who has counted on  me  to be a champion for women. To all of you  I just want to again say I am sorry. I know there are no magic words I can say to regain your trust."
 He  said the process will take time and "that starts with going back to work today."
The Minnesota Democrat spoke to reporters on Capitol Hill for the first time since multiple women have accused  him  of inappropriate sexual conduct  ranging from forcible kissing to unwanted touching.  He  took a few questions  reiterated that  he  would not resign and expressed remorse and regret.
"I've been trying to take responsibility by apologizing "  Franken  said.  He  added  "I'm going to be accountable" and "cooperate completely with the ethics investigation."
 Franken 's conduct has been referred to the Senate Ethics Committee. The committee could recommend anywhere from a reprimand to censure to expulsion  but the full Senate would have to act on that.
Leeanne Tweeden  a radio host in Los Angeles and former model  toured with  Franken  as part of the USO. She recalled  Franken  forcibly kissing her during sketches and rehearsals. A photo taken aboard a cargo plane also shows  Franken  touching Tweeden's breasts over a flak jacket while she was asleep. Looking over  his  shoulder   Franken  smirks at the camera.
 Franken  said  he  didn't remember  his  time with Tweeden the same way  but noted  "I feel that you have to respect women's experience. I apologized to her  and I meant it. And I was very grateful that she accepted it."
Women have also accused  Franken  of touching their buttocks while taking photos in Minnesota.  Franken  said  he  does not remember specific instances in which that happened  but  he  did not deny that it did.
"One is too many "  Franken  said.  He  added that it was disrespectful and  he  is sorry  he  hurt them.
 He  repeated later  "I am tremendously sorry. ... I am embarrassed. I feel ashamed."
 Franken 's comments echo what  he  told Minnesota Public Radio News in an interview over the weekend: "I'm going to go forward. I'm going to take responsibility. I'm going to be held accountable  and I'm going to try to be productive in the way I speak about this."
"Franken  Reiterates  He  Won't Resign: 'I Know That I've Let A Lot Of People Down
[TGT]said Monday  [TGT]  would not resign from office after allegations of sexual harassment have been leveled against  [TGT] .
"I know that I've let a lot of people down "  Franken  said  noting that  he  was looking forward to getting back to work. "My colleagues  my staff  my supporters and everyone who has counted on  me  to be a champion for women. To all of you  I just want to again say I am sorry. I know there are no magic words I can say to regain your trust."
 He  said the process will take time and "that starts with going back to work today."
The Minnesota Democrat spoke to reporters on Capitol Hill for the first time since multiple women have accused  him  of inappropriate sexual conduct  ranging from forcible kissing to unwanted touching.  He  took a few questions  reiterated that  he  would not resign and expressed remorse and regret.
"I've been trying to take responsibility by apologizing "  Franken  said.  He  added  "I'm going to be accountable" and "cooperate completely with the ethics investigation."
 Franken 's conduct has been referred to the Senate Ethics Committee. The committee could recommend anywhere from a reprimand to censure to expulsion  but the full Senate would have to act on that.
Leeanne Tweeden  a radio host in Los Angeles and former model  toured with  Franken  as part of the USO. She recalled  Franken  forcibly kissing her during sketches and rehearsals. A photo taken aboard a cargo plane also shows  Franken  touching Tweeden's breasts over a flak jacket while she was asleep. Looking over  his  shoulder   Franken  smirks at the camera.
 Franken  said  he  didn't remember  his  time with Tweeden the same way  but noted  "I feel that you have to respect women's experience. I apologized to her  and I meant it. And I was very grateful that she accepted it."
Women have also accused  Franken  of touching their buttocks while taking photos in Minnesota.  Franken  said  he  does not remember specific instances in which that happened  but  he  did not deny that it did.
"One is too many "  Franken  said.  He  added that it was disrespectful and  he  is sorry  he  hurt them.
 He  repeated later  "I am tremendously sorry. ... I am embarrassed. I feel ashamed."
 [TGT] 's comments echo what  [TGT]  told Minnesota Public Radio News in an interview over the weekend: "I'm going to go forward. I'm going to take responsibility. I'm going to be held accountable  and I'm going to try to be productive in the way I speak about this.""