Franken was a senator from Minnesota and was a Democrat. He served from 2009 to 2017.
Alleged misconduct & resolution
On December 7, 2017, Senator Franken announced his resignation which was effective January 2, 2018 due to allegations of sexual harassment. Select Committee on Ethics began investigating Senator Franken on November 30, 2017.
| Nov. 30, 2017 | Senate Select Committee on Ethics began investigating Senator Franken |
| Dec. 7, 2017 | Franken announced his resignation, which was effective January 2, 2018. |
![Photo of Sen. Alan “Al” Franken [D-MN, 2009-2017]](/data/photos/412378-200px.jpeg)
Analysis
Legislative Metrics
Read our 2017 Report Card for Franken.
Ideology–Leadership Chart
Franken is shown as a purple triangle ▲ in our ideology-leadership chart below. Each dot is a member of the Senate positioned according to our liberal–conservative ideology score (left to right) and our leadership score (leaders are toward the top).
The chart is based on the bills Franken has sponsored and cosponsored. See full analysis methodology.
Ratings from Advocacy Organizations
Enacted Legislation
Franken was the primary sponsor of 4 bills that were enacted:
- S. 706: Quicker Veterans Benefits Delivery Act of 2017
- S. 2512 (114th): Adding Zika Virus to the FDA Priority Review Voucher Program Act
- S. 993 (114th): Comprehensive Justice and Mental Health Act of 2015
- S. 920 (113th): Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Non-Intercourse Act of 2013
We consider a bill enacted if one of the following is true: a) it is enacted itself, b) it has a companion bill in the other chamber (as identified by Congress) which was enacted, or c) if at least about half of its provisions were incorporated into bills that were enacted (as determined by an automated text analysis, applicable beginning with bills in the 110th Congress).
Bills Sponsored
Issue Areas
Franken sponsored bills primarily in these issue areas:
Education (27%) Health (26%) Energy (12%) Armed Forces and National Security (12%) Taxation (7%) Labor and Employment (7%) Crime and Law Enforcement (4%) Law (4%)
Recent Bills
Some of Franken’s most recently sponsored bills include...
- S. 2267: Pension Priority Act
- S. 2132: Family Coverage Act
- S.Res. 306: A resolution recognizing the month of October 2017 as “National Principals Month”.
- S.Res. 297: A resolution supporting Lights On Afterschool, a national celebration of afterschool programs held ...
- S. 1986: Justice for Native Survivors of Sexual Violence Act
- S. 1851: Advancing Grid Storage Act of 2017
- S. 1792: Fostering Success in Higher Education Act of 2017
Voting Record
Key Votes
| Franken’s Vote | Vote Description |
|---|---|
| Yea |
On the Nomination PN48: Linda E. McMahon, of Connecticut, to be Administrator of the Small Business Administration
Feb 14, 2017. Nomination Confirmed 81/19.
|
| Nay |
H.R. 5325: Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2017
Sep 28, 2016. Bill Passed 72/26.
|
| Yea |
S. 764: Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2015
Jul 7, 2016. Motion Agreed to 63/30.
This bill was the vehicle for passage of the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act, which is the form it was enacted it. Prior to amendments, the bill regarded defunding Planned Parenthood and the National Sea Grant College Program. As enacted, the bill created national ... |
| Yea |
H.R. 22: Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy Act
Dec 3, 2015. Conference Report Agreed to 83/16.
H.R 22, formerly the Hire More Heroes Act, has become the Senate’s vehicle for passage of the Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy Act or DRIVE Act (S. 1647). The DRIVE Act is a major bipartisan transportation bill that would authorize funding ... |
| Yea |
H.R. 22: Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy Act
Jul 30, 2015. Bill Passed 65/34.
This vote turned H.R 22, originally the Hire More Heroes Act, into the Senate’s vehicle for passage of the Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy Act or DRIVE Act (S. 1647), a major bipartisan transportation bill, and the Export-Import Bank Reform and ... |
| Yea |
H.J.Res. 124 (113th): Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2015
Sep 18, 2014. Joint Resolution Passed 78/22.
|
| Nay |
H.R. 4310 (112th): National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013
Dec 21, 2012. Conference Report Agreed to 81/14.
|
| Nay |
H.R. 1540 (112th): National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012
Dec 15, 2011. Conference Report Agreed to 86/13.
|
| Yea |
H.R. 4853 (111th): Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010
Dec 15, 2010. Motion Agreed to 81/19.
The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 (Pub.L. 111–312, H.R. 4853, 124 Stat. 3296, enacted December 17, 2010), also known as the 2010 Tax Relief Act, was passed by the United States Congress on December 16, 2010, and signed into ... |
| Nay |
On the Nomination PN959: Ben S. Bernanke, of New Jersey, to be Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for a term of four ...
Jan 28, 2010. Nomination Confirmed 70/30.
|
Missed Votes
From Jul 2009 to Dec 2017, Franken missed 32 of 2,449 roll call votes, which is 1.3%. This is on par with the median of 1.5% among the lifetime records of senators serving in Dec 2017. The chart below reports missed votes over time.
Primary Sources
The information on this page is originally sourced from a variety of materials, including:
- @unitedstates/congress-legislators, a community project gathering congressional information
- The House and Senate websites, for committee membership and voting records
- GPO Member Guide for the photo
- GovInfo.gov, for sponsored bills
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