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Pat Leahy regrets calling on Al Franken to resign

Sen. Al Franken (left) and Sen. Patrick Leahy on Capitol Hill in 2011. Photo: J. Scott Applewhite / AP

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) said in a statement Monday that he was too quick in calling for Sen. Al Franken's (D-Minn.) resignation instead of waiting on an ethics committee to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct and "make its recommendation," according to the Burlington Free Press.

"I have stood for due process throughout my years as a prosecutor and in chairing the Judiciary Committee," said Leahy. "I regret not doing that this time."

Timing: Franken announced his resignation earlier this month, and Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton has appointed Lt. Gov. Tina Smith fill his seat until the 2018 midterm elections.

Take note: Politico initially reported that Leahy had told Franken privately that he regretted his statement calling on Franken to resign.