In a farewell address on the Senate floor Thursday morning, Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) criticized the policies and political tactics of President Donald Trump and Republicans.
Franken will resign from his seat on Jan. 2 due to allegations from several women that he forcibly kissed or groped them. In his Thursday speech, Franken did not address the accusations against him. Instead he criticized Republicans and reflected on his time in the Senate.
The Minnesota senator walked through several major policy issues, starting with the tax cuts passed Wednesday by both chambers of Congress.
Franken also criticized Republicans’ climate change denialism, efforts to suppress minority voters and work to squash LGBT rights. He said that Trump and Republicans tell lies to push their policies that marginalize minority groups. Franken argued that Trump did not create those lies, but happily pushed them.
“As I leave the Senate, I have to admit that it feels like we’re losing the war for truth. And maybe it’s already lost,” Franken said. “If that’s what happens, then we have lost the ability to have the kinds of arguments that help build consensus.”
Franken said that ordinary Americans need to become better informed in order to “get this country back on track.”
Heartbreaking.
Here’s the video:
This is SO difficult for me, but I think the bottom line is that Al has been railroaded and for no great benefit. Due process is going through a tough time right now.
Franken said that ordinary Americans need to become better informed in order to “get this country back on track.”
I thought that, in the end, it was time for him to go. In part he was the victim of changing standards–standards that have changed for the good, but he got whipsawed by the shift. Still, whatever his weaknesses, his has been a voice for democratic values, and it will be missed.
I hope Senator Franken will continue to speak out on issues from his next perch. He’s correct in that we need to keep speaking for truth and logic because to do otherwise is suicidal.
Despite his personal shortcomings, I thought he performed admirably as Senator and wish him well.