Under fire over sexual misconduct allegations, Minnesota Sen. Al Franken focused on women's health concerns during his questioning of health secretary nominee, Alex Azar.
The Democratic senator confronted Azar over the Trump administration's decision to allow employers with religious or moral beliefs to opt out of a federal requirement that health plans provide free birth control coverage to women employees as a preventive benefit.
Azar said only a relatively small number of companies have taken advantage of the administration's exemption, defending it as an attempt to balance competing interests.
Pressed about his own beliefs, Azar agreed "it seems to make some sense" that contraception reduces unintended pregnancies and abortions.
Franken has apologized for his behavior, as described by several women who came forward. He says he welcomes an ethics investigation.
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