Republican Rep. Trent Franks of Arizona said Thursday he is resigning next month after revealing that he discussed surrogacy with two female staffers.
The eight-term lawmaker, a staunch conservative and fierce opponent of abortion, said in a statement that he never physically intimidated, coerced or attempted to have any sexual contact with any member of his congressional staff.
Instead, he says, the dispute resulted from a discussion of surrogacy. Franks and his wife, who have struggled with infertility, have 3-year-old twins who were conceived through surrogacy.
-
![]()
Roy Moore says vast left-wing conspiracy behind all sexual assault allegations against him -
![]()
Roy Moore calls sexual assault allegations ‘completely false’ and ‘malicious’ -
![]()
White House says Trump already addressed sexual assault allegations -
![]()
Roy Moore’s wife stands by him amid sexual assault allegations -
![]()
Roy Moore, wife respond to latest sexual assault allegations -
![]()
Roy Moore publicly denies report of sexual assault allegations -
![]()
White House won’t discuss Al Franken comments -
![]()
Al Franken resigns from the Senate amid sexual misconduct allegations -
![]()
EXTENDED: Al Franken resigns from the United States Senate -
![]()
Franken faces fresh accusations, weighing his future -
![]()
Al Franken set to make announcement Thursday as support fades
Franks, 60, says he had become familiar with the surrogacy process in recent years and “became insensitive as to how the discussion of such an intensely personal topic might affect others.”
He said he regrets that his “discussion of this option and process in the workplace” with two female staffers made them feel uncomfortable.
In a statement, Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., called the allegations “serious and requiring action” and said he told Franks he should resign.
Franks said he will step down effective Jan. 31.
In a one-page statement late Thursday, the House Ethics Committee said its members were examining whether Franks “engaged in conduct that constitutes sexual harassment and/or retaliation for opposing sexual harassment.” The statement provided no further detail and noted that while it was establishing an investigative subcommittee that did not mean any violation of law or House rules had occurred.
Ethics is unlikely to proceed in light of the resignation.
On Thursday afternoon, Franks was seen being consoled in the House chamber by several other Republicans. They included Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert, Alabama’s Robert Aderholt and fellow Arizonan Andy Biggs.
-
![]()
Reflective Sen. Al Franken trying to learn from his mistakes -
![]()
Sen. Al Franken says men must ‘respect’ the experiences of women -
![]()
Sen. Al Franken: No ‘magic words’ to regain trust of voters -
![]()
Al Franken apologizes over sexual misconduct allegations while Roy Moore remains defiant -
![]()
Donald Trump slams Al Franken on Twitter over sexual misconduct allegations -
![]()
Al Franken and Trudeau’s take on the TPP on this week’s Touchdowns and Fumbles -
![]()
Al Franken accused of groping, unwanted kissing by radio anchor Leeann Tweeden -
![]()
White House offers curt response to Al Franken allegations -
![]()
Leeann Tweeden, Al Franken’s accuser, details her encounter in 2006 -
![]()
Al Franken apologizes after radio host accuses him of sexual misconduct
Asked for comment as he left the floor, Franks said, “I’ll let the statement speak for itself.”
Franks has been a member of the far-right House Freedom Caucus. He’s a staunch social conservative who sponsored House-passed legislation to make it a crime for any person to perform an abortion if the age of the fetus is 20 weeks or more.
Earlier Thursday, liberal Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., announced his resignation after facing allegations of sexual harassment by at least eight women. Franken said some of those accusations were false and that he remembered others differently than his accusers did. He said he’d depart in a few weeks.
Comments