Rep. Franks Resigns Over Discussing Surrogacy With Female Staffers

Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ) announced Thursday that he is resigning from Congress amid allegations of sexual misconduct—specifically that he asked two female staffers about being surrogates for his children. “I have absolutely never physically intimidated, coerced, or had, or attempted to have, any sexual contact with any member of my congressional staff,” Franks said in a statement. But he admitted to conduct that “made certain individuals uncomfortable,” including “discussion” of surrogacy in the workplace. Franks said he and his wife “have long struggled with infertility” and experienced three miscarriages. The announcement came moments after the House Ethics Committee said it had opened an investigation into whether Franks “engaged in conduct that constitutes sexual harassment and/or retaliation for opposing sexual harassment.” Franks will leave Congress on Jan. 31.