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.

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.