GOP Rep. Tim Murphy resigns after abortion scandal

Pennsylvania Rep. Tim Murphy (R) has tendered his resignation from Congress, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said Thursday. Murphy had been enmeshed in scandal after it was revealed that he had asked an extramarital affair partner to consider terminating a pregnancy; the congressman is staunchly pro-life and has been endorsed by organizations like the Family Research Council.

"It was Dr. Murphy's decision to move on to the next chapter of his life, and I support it," Ryan said in a statement announcing Murphy's decision. "We thank him for his many years of tireless work on mental health issues here in Congress, and his service to the country as a Naval Reserve officer." Murphy's resignation will be effective Oct. 21.

Murphy had disclosed his affair with Shannon Edwards, whom he called a "personal friend," last month, and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported earlier this week that in January he asked her to consider getting an abortion amid a pregnancy scare, which turned out to be unfounded. On Wednesday evening, Murphy had announced he would retire at the end of his term.

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Also this week, Murphy voted in favor of a bill that would ban abortions after 20 weeks — a piece of legislation he co-sponsored, and which passed the House.