And now, from the University of Chicago Institute of Politics and CNN, the Axviles, with your

host, David Axelrod.

There are all kinds of roots to the United States Senate, but it's fair to say that Al Franken's

may be one of the most unusual.

He was a national celebrity as a comedian and a writer on Saturday Night Live for years,

at his own show on Air America.

But now is a Senator from Minnesota in his second term, and an impactful leader on issues

like mental health reform and healthcare, and generally, and worker training, and a whole

array of things.

And also just a thoughtful commentator on where we are as a country.

I sat down with him in Washington the other day to talk about the recent vote on guns.

The election and his life and career.

So Al Franken, you, like myself, come from an immigrant family, which probably crossed

your mind, your grandparents, I'm talking about.

Yeah, I mean, everyone except for everyone.

Not everyone.

Not everyone.

I'm Indian Affairs, and they're the only ones who did the immigrant families.

Exactly.

Exactly.

But yes, my eyes.

It seems like a fairly typical, I mean, I'm a New Yorker, my, my mother's parents came

...