Arizona congressman Trent Franks said Friday that his resignation would be effective immediately – not at the end of January. Franks announced Thursday that he planned to quit after two female aides complained that he had asked them to be surrogate mothers for his child.
The Republican decided to step down to prevent a ‘sensationalized trial’ after The House Ethics Committee said it would investigate him to see if his conduct ‘constitutes sexual harassment.’
But he’s leaving the U.S. Capitol early because his wife landed in the hospital to treat an unspecified chronic ailment just hours after his legislative career came crashing down.
‘Last night, my wife was admitted to the hospital in Washington, D.C. due to an ongoing ailment,’ Franks said in a statement. ‘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.’
Arizona congressman Trent Franks announced Thursday that he would resign in January after two staffers complained he asked them to be surrogate mothers for his child; a day later he moved up his quit date and said he would leave Congress immediately
Franks explained that he and his Filipina wife Josephine chose the surrogate method after struggling with infertility and experiencing three miscarriages; Josephine landed in the hospital just hours afte rhis legislative career came crashing down
Franks, a staunch conservative, asked two ‘female subordinates’ to bear his child in 2011, three years after he and his wife had twins (pictured) using a donor egg and a surrogate
Franks, a staunch conservative, asked two ‘female subordinates’ to bear his child in 2011, three years after he and his wife had twins using a donor egg and a surrogate.
The 60-year-old said in a statement on Thursday: ‘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.
‘I deeply regret that my discussion of this option and process in the workplace caused distress.’
Franks said he felt a fair investigation was impossible in the current climate as sexual harassment allegations continue to emerge in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal.
He added: ‘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.
‘Rather than allow a sensationalized trial by media [to] damage those things I love most, this morning I notified House leadership that I will be leaving Congress as of January 31st, 2018.
‘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.
‘I hope my resignation will remain distinct from the great gains we have made. My time in Congress serving my constituents, America and the Constitution is and will remain one of God’s greatest gift to me in life.’
Franks was first elected to his Arizona congressional seat in 2002 and is an outspoken opponent of abortion.
He said in his statement that his children were conceived in a ‘pro-life approach that did not discard or throw away any embryos.’
He explained that he and his Filipina wife Josephine chose the surrogate method after struggling with infertility and experiencing three miscarriages.
When his twins were three years old they kept asking for another sibling and that’s when he approached his staffers about surrogacy.
Franks said he wanted to make clear that he has never sexually harassed anyone.
He added: ‘I have absolutely never physically intimidated, coerced, or had, or attempted to have, any sexual contact with any member of my congressional staff.’
House Speaker Paul Ryan said in a statement that he had been told about the allegations against Franks last week.
He said he ‘found the allegations to be serious and requiring action’ and told Franks that he should resign after informing the ethics committee.
Last night it was reported that rumors had been swirling since at least 2012.
An Arizona Republican told Roll Call: ‘If this rumor turns out to be true, there won’t be that many people who are surprised.’
‘My wife and I have long struggled with infertility’: Trent Franks’ full resignation statement
I have always tried to create a very warm and supportive atmosphere for every last person who has ever worked in my congressional office. It is my deepest conviction that there are many staffers, former and present, who would readily volunteer to substantiate this fact.
Given the nature of numerous allegations and reports across America in recent weeks, I want to first make one thing completely clear. I have absolutely never physically intimidated, coerced, or had, or attempted to have, any sexual contact with any member of my congressional staff.
However, I do want to take full and personal responsibility for the ways I have broached a topic that, unbeknownst to me until very recently, made certain individuals uncomfortable. And so, I want to shed light on how those conversations came about.
My wife and I have long struggled with infertility. We experienced three miscarriages. We pursued adoption on more than one occasion only to have the adoptive mothers in each case change their mind prior to giving birth. A wonderful and loving lady, to whom we will be forever grateful, acted as a gestational surrogate for our twins and was able to carry them successfully to live birth.
The process by which they were conceived was a pro-life approach that did not discard or throw away any embryos. My son and daughter are unspeakable gifts of God that have brought us our greatest earthly happiness in the 37 years we have been married.
When our twins were approximately 3 years old, we made a second attempt with a second surrogate who was also not genetically related to the child. Sadly, that pregnancy also resulted in miscarriage. We continued to have a desire to have at least one additional sibling, for which our children had made repeated requests.
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. 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. We are in an unusual moment in history – there is collective focus on a very important problem of justice and sexual impropriety. It is so important that we get this right for everyone, especially for victims.
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.
Rather than allow a sensationalized trial by media damage those things I love most, this morning I notified House leadership that I will be leaving Congress as of January 31st, 2018.
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. I hope my resignation will remain distinct from the great gains we have made. My time in Congress serving my constituents, America and the Constitution is and will remain one of God’s greatest gift to me in life.
Democratic Senator Al Franken also announced he would be resigning on Thursday after facing a series of sexual misconduct allegations.
Franken, buffeted for weeks by sexual harassment charges and under pressure from party colleagues, said on the Senate floor he would leave in a few weeks, although he denied some of the allegations against him and questioned others.
The 66-year-old former comedian from Minnesota had been seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party.
Democratic Senator Al Franken announced his resignation on Thursday as well, after facing a series of sexual misconduct allegations
‘I know in my heart that nothing I’ve done as a senator – nothing – has brought dishonor on this institution,’ he said. ‘Nevertheless, today I am announcing that in the coming weeks, I will be resigning as a member of the United States Senate.’
Democratic Representative John Conyers also resigned earlier this week amid sexual harassment accusations that he has denied.
The House Ethics Committee said on Thursday it was investigating yet another politician.
Blake Farenthold, a Republican representative from Texas, faces allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation involving a former female staff member.