Senator Franken: The Republican Tax Bill Represents a Slap in the Face

During that announcement he took a dig at the past alleged sexual harassment actions by President Trump

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Al Franken took to the Senate floor to give his final speech before his resignation takes effect in January.

He talked about his years in the Senate debating the issues, the arguments and serious votes.

Franken said “Politics is about the improvement of people’s lives.”

He announced earlier this month that he would resign in the wake of numerous sexual harassment allegations.

During that announcement he took a dig at the past alleged sexual harassment actions by President Trump.

He took him to task today for the just passed tax cut bill.

“During his inaugural address, President Trump vowed that quote the forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer,” Franken said. “But, the Republican tax bill represents a slap in the face to those forgotten men and women. I guess the president forgot about them. Politics is about the improvement of people’s lives. The American people know that to be true. And they filled me with hope for our future.”

Franken will leave his Senate seat on January 2nd.

Minnesota Lt. Gov. Tina Smith will be sworn in to take his place the next day.

She says she will run in 2018 for the remainder of Franken’s term.

Republican Minnesota State Senator Karin Housley of Stillwater has also entered the race.

Former Governor Eyeing Potential Senate Seat Vacancy

With the resignation of Democratic Senator Al Franken, a former Minnesota governor may be thinking of jumping back into politics.

Tim Pawlenty says he is “reflecting” on the state’s Senate seat, which will be up for grabs in a special election next year.

The Republican former governor and one-time presidential hopeful, has been critical of the Trump Administration in the past.

Pawlenty is currently a banking lobbyist but says he has not counted out a run for Franken’s open seat in 2018.