Sen. Susan Collins said Thursday that reports Sen. Al Franken groped a radio news anchor in 2006 were "disturbing" and the Minnesota Democrat's "belated apology was certainly warranted."
Collins, the Maine Republican, took to Twitter:
Leeann Tweeden, a Los Angeles radio news anchor and former model, accused Franken of groping her during a USO tour in 2006 and posted a picture on of the assault with her report.
Franken, 66, a "Saturday Night Live" alum who was first elected to the Senate in 2008, initially released a short apology and then a longer statement that also called for an ethics investigation.
Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said he backed an ethics review of Franken — and top Democrat Chuck Schumer of New York also endorsed a probe by the panel.