The Note: In #MeToo moment, will Congress ponder pace and process?

In this image from video from Senate Television, Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., speaks on the Senate floor of the Capitol in Washington, Dec. 7, 2017. Franken said he will resign from the Senate in coming weeks following a wave of sexual misconduct allegations and a collapse of support from his Democratic colleagues, a swift political fall for a once-rising Democratic star.

Democrats saw Franken as a liability

Alan Stuart Franken Democrats turn on Al Franken Schumer called, met with Franken and told him to resign Overnight Finance: Trump says shutdown 'could happen' had been resisting behind-the-scenes pressure from fellow Senate Democrats to step down for some time before his resignation on Thursday. Sources familiar with deliberations within the caucus said women Democratic senators pressed their leadership to resolve the Franken situation and the leaders relayed their concerns to him.

LA-area Assemblyman Matt Dababneh resigns after sexual misconduct allegations

San Fernando Valley state Assemblyman Matt Dababneh on Friday became the second California lawmaker to abruptly leave office in a cloud of sexual misconduct allegations, just days after a lobbyist accused him of sexually assaulting her in a hotel bathroom. Dababneh had adamantly denied that he cornered lobbyist Pamela Lopez in a Las Vegas bathroom in January 2016 and urged her to touch him as he masturbated - submitted his resignation late Friday afternoon, effective Jan. 1. "To be absolutely clear, the allegations against me are not true," Dababneh wrote in a letter to Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-South Gate.

In Franken’s fall, sudden Senate pickup chance for GOP

Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., second from right, holds hands with his wife Franni Bryson, left, as he leaves the Capitol after speaking on the Senate floor, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Franken said he will resign from the Senate in coming weeks following a wave of sexual misconduct allegations and a collapse of support from his Democratic colleagues, a swift political fall for a once-rising Democratic star.

Republicans ceding high ground

By continuing to back Roy Moore for Alabama's U.S. Senate seat, national Republican leaders have ceded any claim to the moral high ground in the name of political expediency. In the long term, Republicans have likely dealt their political fortunes a serious blow as well.

Good riddance

Al Franken entered the U.S. Senate with a reputation as a crude, insufferable putz. His speech from the Senate floor on Thursday , where he announced his intention to resign his senate seat " in the coming weeks, " indicated he is leaving as a delusional and defiant egomaniac.

Hard to identify winners, losers in post-Franken scenarios

Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., leaves the Capitol after speaking on the Senate floor, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Photo Credit: AP / Andrew Harnik He became the first television comedian to win a U.S. Senate seat.

Sen. John Thune: Tax Reform Will Be on Trump’s Desk Before Christmas

The year is winding down, but the tax reform bill will be complete and on President Donald Trump's desk before 2017 ends, Sen. John Thune said Thursday. "There is a sense of urgency about it," the South Dakota Republican told Fox News' "America's Newsroom" program, explaining that there are already informal discussions occurring between House and Senate negotiators.

AP Interview: On North Korea, senator says China a problem

China is more of a problem than a partner for the United States on dealing with nuclear-armed North Korea, a leading Republican senator and ally of President Donald Trump told the Associated Press during a wide-ranging interview Thursday. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said China has been "lying for 25 years" about wanting to eliminate North Korea's nuclear capability.

Announcement coming from Sen. Franken amid fresh accusations

Minnesota Democrat Al Franken, facing fresh allegations of sexual misconduct and vanishing support from fellow Democrats, appears on the brink of resigning from the Senate. Franken's office said he will make an announcement at 11:45 a.m. Thursday in a speech on the Senate floor.

Dems seek moral high ground in fight over sexual harassment

The calls for Franken's resignation came with less than a week to go until the special election to fill a Senate seat in Alabama, where Republican candidate Roy Moore has faced a string of allegations of sexual misconduct involving teenage girls. John James Conyers Abortion-rights group endorses Nadler in race to replace Conyers on Judiciary Democrats turn on Al Franken Michigan state senator to run for Congress MORE Jr. , who resigned on Tuesday amid mounting pressure from colleagues.

Amid calls to resign, Franken to make a statement

Minnesota Democratic Sen. Al Franken is set to make a statement Thursday about his future in office, following a raft of allegations he touched women inappropriately and dozens of his Democratic colleagues calling for him to step aside. "Senator Franken is talking with his family at this time and plans to make an announcement in D.C. tomorrow.