Rep. Trent Franks to resign after discussing surrogacy with female staffers

[bathroommonkey76]

Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) announced Thursday that he would resign from office as of Jan. 31, 2018, after discussing surrogacy issues with female staffers.

“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,” he said in a statement. “I deeply regret that my discussion of this option and process in the workplace caused distress.”

Franks’ announcement shocked Capitol Hill. He has been a vocal social conservative since being elected to Congress in 2002, and has authored numerous anti-abortion bills. He is married, with twin children.

In a statement, Speaker Paul Ryan’s office said Thursday that the speaker learned of “credible claims of misconduct” against Franks in the middle of last week.

“The next day, the speaker presented Rep. Franks with the allegations, which he did not deny,” according to Ryan’s office. “The speaker told Rep. Franks that he intended to refer the allegations directly to the House Ethics Committee and told him that he should resign from Congress. The allegations were filed with the Ethics Committee last Friday. And today, the speaker accepted a letter of resignation.”

Read more:

https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/07/trent-franks-expected-to-resign-286967

[Vinca]

1. The staffers must be tender flowers if that's what the actual conversation was.

[janterry]

2. I agree, very strange

Did he (perhaps??) ask them to BE the surrogate?

I don't get it.

[Lindsay]

4. That's the impression I get,

that he was asking them to be surrogates.

[janterry]

5. Well, yea

that would sure be awkward! I mean, your boss asking.

[Thor_MN]

7. This will be declared the evener and that no more accusations need be looked at.

"See? Totally fair process, nothing more to see"

[Lotusflower70]

3. Hmmm

I seriously doubt that's what the conversation was. That makes no sense at all.

[Loki Liesmith]

6. If this is the extent of it

He should apologize not resign.

[oberliner]

10. Paul Ryan told him he had to resign

[DeminPennswoods]

16. I guess that's a plus for Ryan

nt

[sheshe2]

8. hmmm

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[MaryMagdaline]

13. My thoughts exactly

Well, my staff are women, aren't they? Why would they not want to bear my seed?

[sheshe2]

14. Yep.

[DeminPennswoods]

9. Apparently he asked them to be surrogates

Now I don't think this was appropriate, but I don't think it rises to harrassment or misconduct unless the staffers were penalized for declining.

Ironically, if the Franks wanted another child, there are plenty, of all ages, looking for loving adoptive parents.

[forgotmylogin]

12. I don't know the real story here...

but "asking women to be surrogates" for him might be a dainty way of expressing "asking if he could impregnate them" which is a shifty way of saying "asking if he could fuck them" - possibly under the banner of "we want kids but my wife can't have more...she's cool with it, really!" Even if done politely, it sounds like he's floating a trial balloon to see if they were cool with the idea of something of his inside them.

Total speculation on my part; of course, he might have been seriously offering these women the opportunity to carry his child as a legal surrogate in an above-board manner without any sense of impropriety.

[DeminPennswoods]

15. He's 60, presumably his wife is a similar age

Maybe they just did want another child, but it's just all very bizarre to say the least.

[Skittles]

11. this "reason" is complete bullshit

the real reason he is resigning? He knows what they will find if they dig deeper.