Minnesota Lt. Gov. Tina Smith Will Fill Al Franken's Senate Seat
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton announced the decision Wednesday. Smith's appointed term will last until January 2019.
LEARN MORERep. Farenthold Not Seeking Re-election After Sexual Misconduct Claims
House Speaker Paul Ryan announced Rep. Blake Farenthold will retire after his current term.
Rep. Farenthold Not Seeking Re-election After Sexual Misconduct Claims
U.S. Congress
December 14, 2017
House Speaker Paul Ryan says U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold won't seek re-election.
In early December, Politico reported the congressman from Texas was accused of using taxpayer money to settle a lawsuit with his former communications director. She alleged Farenthold sexually harassed her and created a hostile work environment.
The House Ethics Committee later opened an investigation into the allegations.
Other former aides have spoken out against him. Michael Rekola told CNN that Farenthold often told sexually explicit jokes and would berate aides. Rekola said he had to seek psychological counseling and medical treatment because of Farenthold's behavior.
Farenthold is just the latest member of Congress whose career has been toppled by recent sexual misconduct allegations.
Farenthold first served in the U.S. House in 2011. His current term ends in early 2019. As of Thursday afternoon, Farenthold hadn't released a statement on his reported retirement.
Concerns over prayer breakfast lead Congress to take it over
The organizer and host for this year's breakfast will be the National Prayer Breakfast Foundation, headed by former Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark.
By Patrick Semansky /AP0:44
House GOP seeks new restrictions on use of US oil stockpile
Pres. Biden withdrew 180 million barrels from the strategic reserve over several months, bringing the stockpile to its lowest level since the 1980s.
By Department of Energy / AP2:14
House GOP wastes no time launching investigations
With their new majority in hand, House Republicans have made it clear that government oversight will be a huge focus.
By Jose Luis Magana / APTop Stories
2:34
Biden, McCarthy to discuss debt limit in talks Wednesday
McCarthy said he wants to address spending cuts along with raising the debt limit, but said cuts to Social Security and Medicare are off the table.
By Alex Brandon / AP0:36
Barrett Strong, Motown artist known for 'Money,' dies at 81
Strong is known for his work on Motown classics like "Money," "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" and others.
By Louis Lanzano / AP0:45
Accused Pelosi attacker in jail: 'Sorry I didn't get more of them'
The man accused in Paul Pelosi's attack, David DePape, undermined his own defense during an interview from jail with a news reporter.
By San Francisco Police Department / AP