Fact check: How much of Al Franken’s work got passed in legislation

1. Summary of the results

Based on the available analyses, Al Franken had a mixed but notable legislative record during his Senate tenure from 2009-2017. According to GovTrack data, Franken was the primary sponsor of 4 bills that were enacted into law: the Quicker Veterans Benefits Delivery Act of 2017, Adding Zika Virus to the FDA Priority Review Voucher Program Act, Comprehensive Justice and Mental Health Act of 2015, and Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Non-Intercourse Act of 2013 ^[1].

However, this number significantly understates his legislative impact. Franken achieved substantial success through amendments and provisions attached to larger bills rather than standalone legislation. Key accomplishments include:

• A provision in the 2010 healthcare overhaul requiring insurance companies to spend at least 80% of premiums on healthcare ^[2]
• A Wall Street reform amendment addressing credit rating agency conflicts of interest ^[2]
• Securing funding for mental health programs in schools ^[2]
• Passing bipartisan provisions supporting foster students and school programs ^[2]

His first legislative success was the Service Dogs for Veterans Act, which passed the Senate by unanimous consent and established a program to pair disabled veterans with service dogs ^[3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks important context about how legislative success is typically measured in the Senate. Simply counting enacted bills as primary sponsor provides an incomplete picture, as many senators achieve their policy goals through amendments, co-sponsorship, and provisions within larger legislative packages.

Franken's legislative career was cut short by his resignation in December 2017 following sexual misconduct allegations ^[4]. This context is crucial because it means his legislative record represents only 8 years in the Senate rather than a full career. He had drafted a bill prohibiting mandatory arbitration in employment-related sexual harassment and discrimination cases, which was later sponsored by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand after his departure ^[5].

The analyses also reveal that Franken focused heavily on bipartisan legislation, particularly around veterans' issues, mental health, and consumer protection - areas where he could build cross-party support.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself is not misleading, but it could lead to misunderstanding about how legislative effectiveness is measured. Focusing solely on "passed legislation" might suggest that only bills where someone serves as primary sponsor count as meaningful legislative work, when in reality much of the Senate's work happens through amendments, provisions, and collaborative efforts.

The question also doesn't account for the premature end to Franken's Senate career, which makes direct comparisons to other senators' full-term records potentially misleading. Any assessment of Franken's legislative productivity should acknowledge that his 8-year tenure was shorter than typical Senate careers and was interrupted by circumstances unrelated to his legislative capabilities.