Q: Why would you want a former Saturday Night Live writer in the U.S. Senate?

A: Gosh, why wouldn't you?*

But since that's an imprecise answer, allow me to elaborate:

http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2009/10/06/12247/senate_passes_franken_amendment_aimed_at_defense_contractors

* Okay, yeah - I can think of at least one reason now.