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U.S. NEWS Saturday 9 december 2017
Ex-aide: Franks offered $5m to carry his child

By JULIET LINDERMAN made her feel afraid that
Associated Press if she didn’t agree, she
WASHINGTON (AP) — A would face professional
former aide to Republican consequences. She said
Rep. Trent Franks has told she spoke to another aide
The Associated Press the in the office, who had also
congressman repeatedly been approached about
pressed her to carry his surrogacy.
child, at one point offering The aide cited the surroga-
her $5 million to act as a cy requests as “a main rea-
surrogate mother. son” for leaving the office,
The eight-term lawmaker adding that she felt retali-
abruptly resigned Friday, ated against after turning
bowing to an ultimatum down the congressman,
from House Speaker Paul ignored by Franks and not
Ryan, R-Wis. Ryan told given many assignments.
Franks that he would refer A spokesman for Franks
the allegations to the Ethics would not comment on
Committee and urged him whether the congressman
to step aside. offered aides money in
The former staffer said the exchange to act as surro-
congressman at least four gates.
times asked if she’d be will- Franks, a staunch conser-
ing to act as a surrogate Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz. speaks with a reporter on Capitol Hill in Washington. Franks says he is vative, said in his statement
in exchange for money. resigning Jan. 31 amid a House Ethics Committee investigation of possible sexual harassment. Thursday that he never
Franks says in a statement that he never physically intimidated, coerced or attempted to have
Franks, in his statement an- any sexual contact with any member of his congressional staff. Instead, he says, the dispute physically intimidated, co-
nouncing his resignation, resulted from a discussion of surrogacy. Franks and his wife have 3-year-old twins who were erced or attempted to
said he and his wife, who conceived through surrogacy. have sexual contact with
have struggled with infer- (AP Photo/Cliff Owen) any member of his con-
tility, have twins who were She said she never filed a er and confirmed that she his child, and if I would con- gressional staff. Franks, 60,
carried through surrogacy. formal complaint because worked in Franks’ office. ceive his child, I would be said he had become fa-
The former aide said the until recently she didn’t She asked that her name given $5 million,” she said, miliar with the surrogacy
conversations took place know where to go, but that be withheld out of concern adding that she refused to process in recent years and
in private, sometimes in the his behavior had made her for her privacy,. look over the contract and “became insensitive as to
congressman’s car, and feel uncomfortable. “During my time there, I was has never seen a copy. how the discussion of such
that she repeatedly told The Associated Press veri- asked a few times to look The woman said the re- an intensely personal topic
him she wasn’t interested. fied the identity of the staff- over a ‘contract’ to carry quests shocked her, and might affect others.”q

Trump signs 2-week spending bill
to avoid government shutdown

By KEN THOMAS children’s health program
Associated Press and hurricane aid. Admin-
WASHINGTON (AP) — Presi- istration and congressional
dent Donald Trump on Fri- aides were continuing the
day signed a spending bill talks on Friday.
to avoid a government “We hope that we’re go-
shutdown and keep the ing to make some great
federal government run- progress for our country.
ning through Dec. 22. I think that will happen,”
The president signed the Trump said Thursday in the
two-week spending mea- Oval Office. Added Senate
sure in private at the White Democratic Leader Chuck
House after the House and Schumer of New York:
Senate acted to prevent a “Funding the government
government shutdown this is extremely important,
weekend. The funding re- helping our soldiers is very
prieve comes as the White important and helping av-
House and congressional erage citizens is very impor-
leaders are negotiating a tant. So we’re here in the
longer-term agreement, spirit of: Let’s get it done.”
building off a Thursday The two-week measure
meeting involving Trump funds government agen-
and congressional leaders. cies from the Defense De-
The White House and law- partment to the IRS.
makers said the bill will It also makes money avail-
give them more time to able to several states run-
negotiate several end-of- ning out of funds for the
the-year agenda items, Children’s Health Insurance
including the budget, a Program.q