Arizona GOP lawmaker resigns over surrogacy allegation

WASHINGTON -- Republican Rep. Trent Franks of Arizona said Thursday he is resigning next month after revealing he discussed surrogacy with two female staffers.

The eight-term lawmaker, a conservative and opponent of abortion, said in a statement he never physically intimidated, coerced or attempted to have any sexual contact with any member of his congressional staff.

Instead, he says, the dispute resulted from a discussion of surrogacy. Franks and his wife have 3-year-old twins who were conceived through surrogacy.

Franks says he had become familiar with the surrogacy process in recent years, and "became insensitive as to how the discussion of such an intensely personal topic might affect others."

He said he regrets his "discussion of this option and process in the workplace" with two female staffers made them feel uncomfortable.

In a statement, Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said when he learned of the allegations, which he considered "serious and requiring action," he told the lawmaker he should resign.

Franks said he would step down effective Jan. 31, 2018.

In a one-page statement late Thursday, the Ethics panel said its members were examining whether Franks "engaged in conduct that constitutes sexual harassment and/or retaliation for opposing sexual harassment." The statement provided no other detail and noted while it was establishing an ethics subcommittee, that didn't mean any violations of law or House rules had occurred.