Franken to leave Senate on January 2 - spokesman

Senator Al Franken (D-Minnesota) will leave the US Senate on January 2, his spokesman told reporters on Wednesday. Franken announced his intent to step down on December 7, following calls by several Senate Democrats for his resignation in wake of multiple accusations of sexual misconduct. Tina Smith, currently the lieutenant-governor of Minnesota, has been appointed to replace him and will be sworn in on January 3.