WASHINGTON _ After announcing Thursday that he would resign from Congress as of January 2018, Arizona Rep. Trent Franks announced Friday he's resigning immediately, citing a family illness.
"Last night, my wife was admitted to the hospital in Washington, D.C., due to an ongoing ailment. 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 in Friday afternoon statement.
On Thursday, Roll Call first reported Franks was expected to resign. The GOP congressman later released a statement explaining that he'd resign as of Jan. 31. citing an Ethics Committee inquiry.
"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," Franks said in his Thursday statement.
Speaker Paul D. Ryan was first briefed about the allegations Nov. 30. The next day, he told Franks he needed to step down and referred the allegations to the House Ethics Committee.
