Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Thursday he wants to see the Senate Ethics Committee investigate claims that Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., kissed and groped a radio anchor 11 years ago.
"As with all credible allegations of sexual harassment or assault, I believe the Ethics Committee should review the matter. I hope the Democratic Leader will join me on this," McConnell said, according to Politico.
"Regardless of party, harassment and assault are completely unacceptable — in the workplace or anywhere else."
On Thursday, Leeann Tweeden, a model and radio anchor for KABC in Los Angeles, accused Franken of forcefully kissing her during a USO Tour to the Middle East in 2006. After the trip ended, a photo surfaced of Franken posing with his hands on her chest as she slept on a C-17 cargo plane that was taking the group back to the United States.
Franken said the photo was "intended to be funny but wasn't. I shouldn't have done it."
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., reacted to the story and told the Washington Examiner she is concerned with the allegations leveled at her colleague.
"They are deeply concerning and I expect to hear more from Sen. Franken," Gillibrand said. "I think it's a serious issue and I think it's very concerning, and we'll hear more from Sen. Franken."