U.S. congressman Trent Franks resigns

FILE PHOTO: House Freedom Caucus member Rep. Trent Franks (R-VA) talks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., March 23, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Representative Trent Franks said on Thursday he will resign after two former staff members complained about discussions he had with them about efforts to find a surrogate mother.

Franks, an Arizona Republican who has served in Congress since 2003, said he recently learnt the House Ethics Committee had opened an investigation of the complaints. "I deeply regret that my discussion of this option and process in the workplace caused distress," he said in a statement.