Gillibrand: Female senators unfairly blamed for Franken exit

WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential candidate Kirsten Gillibrand (KEER’-sten JIHL’-uh-brand) says that she doesn’t regret calling for Al Franken’s resignation from the Senate and that female senators are being blamed for his departure in a way their male colleagues aren’t.

Speaking at a Bustle Digital Group event in Manhattan on Monday, the New York senator was asked about a New Yorker article questioning some of the sexual misconduct allegations against Franken.

Gillibrand offered her strongest defence yet of her actions, saying the story focused only on the first allegation made by Leeann Tweeden and not on seven others against Franken.

She added that, before his resignation, female senators were asked repeatedly about Franken.

She said Monday: “Who is being held accountable for Al Franken’s decision to resign? Women senators, including me. It’s outrageous.”

Will Weissert, The Associated Press