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Trent Franks resigns immediately from Congress after his wife is hospitalized
Washington Examiner ^ | Dec 08, 2017 | Al Weaver

Posted on 12/08/2017 12:46:11 PM PST by Oshkalaboomboom

Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., announced Friday that he is resigning from Congress effective immediately instead of waiting until the end of January.

Franks said Thursday he would leave next month after it emerged that he discussed surrogate parenthood with two female staffers — some reports said he asked them directly to be a surrogate mother. But in a Friday a statement, Franks said his wife was admitted to a hospital Thursday night due to a recurring health issue, and that Friday would be his last day as a sitting member of Congress.

"Last night, my wife was admitted to the hospital in Washington, D.C. due to an ongoing ailment," Franks said. "After discussing options with my family, we came to the conclusion that the best thing for our family now would be for me to tender my previous resignation effective today, December 8th, 2017."

Franks said he discussed surrogacy with his staff because he and his wife have suffered from infertility, and were looking to have a third child.

"Due to my familiarity and experience with the process of surrogacy, I clearly became insensitive as to how the discussion of such an intensely personal topic might affect others," Franks said. "I have recently learned that the Ethics Committee is reviewing an inquiry regarding my discussion of surrogacy with two previous female subordinates, making each feel uncomfortable. I deeply regret that my discussion of this option and process in the workplace caused distress."

"But in the midst of this current cultural and media climate, I am deeply convinced I would be unable to complete a fair House Ethics investigation before distorted and sensationalized versions of this story would put me, my family, my staff, and my noble colleagues in the House of Representatives through hyperbolized public excoriation," Franks said, saying then that he would remain in Congress for most of the next two months. "It is with the greatest sadness, that for the sake of the causes I deeply love, I must now step back from the battle I have spent over three decades fighting."

Franks had served in Congress since 2003 and was a member of the House Freedom Caucus.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: congresssexscandals; trentfranks; trentfranksresigns
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Shame about his wife. Hope it wasn't caused by stress.
1 posted on 12/08/2017 12:46:11 PM PST by Oshkalaboomboom
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To: Oshkalaboomboom

Or self-harm.


2 posted on 12/08/2017 12:50:24 PM PST by Little Pig
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To: Oshkalaboomboom

Member of the Freedom Caucus, now I understand why that POS speaker Ryno wanted him to resign.


3 posted on 12/08/2017 12:51:35 PM PST by Mouton (The MSM is a clear and present danger to the republic.)
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To: Oshkalaboomboom

These guys are a trip. Get caught being slime balls and all of a sudden personal matters cause them to retire


4 posted on 12/08/2017 12:51:49 PM PST by CGASMIA68
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To: Oshkalaboomboom

Is asking someone to be a surrogate automatically deemed sexual harassment?

I know a woman who was a surrogate. She seemed quite happy to do it.


5 posted on 12/08/2017 12:52:00 PM PST by Buckeye McFrog
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To: Little Pig

Self harm was what I thought. I sure hope not. I have to say that this whole story sounds weird.


6 posted on 12/08/2017 12:52:15 PM PST by JudyinCanada
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To: Oshkalaboomboom

He showed poor judgment in taking this to his young staff, now out. Gone either way. Hope wife is okay. At least he already has a couple kids. We had our own challenges but never had to venture to surrogacy.


7 posted on 12/08/2017 12:53:11 PM PST by Reno89519 (PRESIDENT TRUMP, KEEP YOUR PROMISES! NO AMNESTY AND BUILD THAT WALL.)
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To: Oshkalaboomboom

What is it about Congressman being such shit for brains?


8 posted on 12/08/2017 12:53:35 PM PST by Hyman Roth
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To: Buckeye McFrog
You actually question whether asking female employees to have your baby is sexual harassment?
9 posted on 12/08/2017 12:55:30 PM PST by iowamark
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To: Oshkalaboomboom
They've been married since 1980. She's been with him ever since. I'd say there's a decent chance her hospitalization is a bit of enabling on her part. Helping him play the sympathy card to get the media off their back.

However, if she is truly ill, I can see why she would be. Hubby sounds like a piece of work.

10 posted on 12/08/2017 12:55:59 PM PST by mewzilla (Was Obama surveilling John Roberts? Might explain a lot.)
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To: Buckeye McFrog

I suppose a lot matters on how the impregnation was to occur.


11 posted on 12/08/2017 12:56:12 PM PST by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: Buckeye McFrog

The problem is doing this as a member of congress to young staff, no way this could be anything but ackward and intimidating. Very inappropriate. Embarrassing, maybe caused staff to quit. But cause him to resign? No, not by itself. Even with current focus on sexual predators on the Hill, this seems a reach. Maybe there was more involved?


12 posted on 12/08/2017 12:56:23 PM PST by Reno89519 (PRESIDENT TRUMP, KEEP YOUR PROMISES! NO AMNESTY AND BUILD THAT WALL.)
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To: CGASMIA68
“These guys are a trip. Get caught being slime balls and all of a sudden personal matters cause them to retire”

I think in this case, your cynicism is seriously misplaced.

13 posted on 12/08/2017 12:56:59 PM PST by vette6387
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

Yes the woman I know went through an agency and everything was done in a clinic with a donor egg, etc.

I suppose Franks asked them to do it the old fashioned way?


14 posted on 12/08/2017 12:57:48 PM PST by Buckeye McFrog
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To: iowamark

Really. There is having a serious discussion about the subject and then there is, “Hey baby how bout having my kid”


15 posted on 12/08/2017 12:57:49 PM PST by CGASMIA68
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To: Oshkalaboomboom

https://apnews.com/ca905b7b6e264683832a038521f5353f?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=AP

Aide says Franks offered her $ 5 million to carry his child


16 posted on 12/08/2017 12:58:35 PM PST by exit82 (The opposition has already been Trumped!)
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To: Hyman Roth

On top of that, now that he has resigned he loses his nembers only healthcare plan, so how will he pay for his wife’s hospital stay?


17 posted on 12/08/2017 12:58:50 PM PST by shotgun
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To: Buckeye McFrog
Is asking someone to be a surrogate automatically deemed sexual harassment?

No it's not and if that's really all this was about he wouldn't be resigning.

18 posted on 12/08/2017 1:00:27 PM PST by pgkdan (The Silent Majority STILL Stands With TRUMP!)
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To: vette6387

Not me


19 posted on 12/08/2017 1:00:43 PM PST by CGASMIA68
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To: pgkdan

ahh, so it’s our old friend Sloppy Journalism again.


20 posted on 12/08/2017 1:01:08 PM PST by Buckeye McFrog
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