The legislation is meant to help homeowners refinance their mortgages to keep their homes and save money. Sen. Al Franken says "the federal government should be making it easier to refinance, not creating additional hurdles." The Minnesota Democrat plans to introduce the legislation on Monday.

Sen. Al Franken expressed new concerns Thursday about how closely mobile phone companies track smart phone usage. He believes that companies may be tracking things such as the number of text messages a user receives and what phone numbers they dial.

Democratic U.S. Senator Al Franken, who sits on the Education Committee, says he'll work with the Obama administration to develop a Financial Aid Shopping Sheet to help students compare the cost of attending various colleges.

Current cell phone contracts often prohibit users from filing lawsuits. That means anyone with a complaint can only settle it through arbitration. Democratic Sens. Al Franken and Richard Blumenthal say that doesn't always give cell phone users enough protection.

U.S. Sen. Al Franken had a busy Saturday visiting several areas damaged in recent flooding in northeastern Minnesota. Franken -- who co-sponsored the state's $108 million disaster declaration with Gov. Mark Dayton and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar -- made stops in Duluth's Fond du Lac neighborhood, Barnum, Moose Lake and Willow River.

Minnesota-native Shane Bauer and Joshua Fattal traveled to Capitol Hil to meet with Sens. Al Franken and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania to express their gratitude. Franken was a vocal advocate for the hikers since their arrest in 2009.