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.
Or self-harm.
Member of the Freedom Caucus, now I understand why that POS speaker Ryno wanted him to resign.
These guys are a trip. Get caught being slime balls and all of a sudden personal matters cause them to retire
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.
Self harm was what I thought. I sure hope not. I have to say that this whole story sounds weird.
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.
What is it about Congressman being such shit for brains?
However, if she is truly ill, I can see why she would be. Hubby sounds like a piece of work.
I suppose a lot matters on how the impregnation was to occur.
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?
I think in this case, your cynicism is seriously misplaced.
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?
Really. There is having a serious discussion about the subject and then there is, “Hey baby how bout having my kid”
Aide says Franks offered her $ 5 million to carry his child
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?
No it's not and if that's really all this was about he wouldn't be resigning.
Not me
ahh, so it’s our old friend Sloppy Journalism again.
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