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Sen. Al Franken claims report that he will resign is false

Posted at 5:38 PM, Dec 06, 2017
and last updated 2017-12-06 17:38:09-05

On a day when Senate Democrats encouraged Sen. Al Franken to step down from his post, Franken said on Twitter on Wednesday that a Minnesota Public Radio report that he is resigning is false. 

"No final decision has been made and the Senator is still talking with his family. Please update your story," the tweet on Franken's account said. 

The report claimed that Franken has talked to key aides about his resignation. 

An earlier tweet on Franken's Twitter account said the senator would be making an announcement on Thursday. 

Among those calling for Franken to resign was Chuck Schumer, the leader of the Senate Democrats. 

“Senator Franken should resign,” Schumer said in a statement. “I consider Senator Franken a dear friend and greatly respect his accomplishments, but he has a higher obligation to his constituents and the Senate, and he should step down immediately.”

Related: Democrats call for Franken's resignation

Franken has been embroiled in recent weeks over claims of sexual harassment and groping. By and large, Franken has not denied such claims, and has apologized on several occasions. 

But the allegations continue to pile up, as at least seven women have come forward with claims of sexual harassment from Franken, including two who made allegations against Franken on Wednesday. 

Franken is also the subject of an Ethics Committee investigation over the allegations.

While Democrats have pushed Franken out of the caucus, Republicans are carefully watching next week's Alabama Senate race between Democrat Doug Jones and Republican Roy Moore. Moore has faced a number of sexual harassment and assault claims. 

Polls have the race between Moore and Jones in a virtual tie.