Politics

Sen. Franken, Rick Perry share awkward 'Saturday Night Live soundbite' moment

By Rachel Chazin

January 19, 2017 at 8:10PM
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee member Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn. laughs as he asks questions of and jokes with Energy Secretary-designate, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, at Perry's confirmation hearing before the committee.
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee member Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn. laughs as he asks questions of and jokes with Energy Secretary-designate, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, at Perry's confirmation hearing before the committee. (Colleen Kelly — Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to head the Energy Department, shared a laugh with Sen. Al Franken during an awkward exchange Thursday at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing.

When Franken asked if Perry enjoyed their earlier meeting in his office, Perry responded, "I hope you're as much fun on that dais as you were on your couch."

Franken: "Well…" (the room laughs) Perry: "May I rephrase that sir?" Franken: "Please…. Please. Oh my lord. Oh my lord." Perry: "Well I think we found our Saturday Night Live soundbite." Watch video of the exchange below:

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