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.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
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.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kimberly Alters is the news editor at TheWeek.com. She is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
-
Today's political cartoons - March 16, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - pointed commentary, Haiti in trouble, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 hilarious cartoons about the RNC's MAGA takeover
Cartoons Artists take on RNC funding, Lara Trump, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Trump's presidential run: a bad bet for Republicans?
Talking Point The GOP is taking a 'big gamble' on former president's 2024 White House bid
By The Week UK Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
More than 2,000 dead following massive earthquake in Morocco
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mexico's next president will almost certainly be its 1st female president
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
North Korea's Kim to visit Putin in eastern Russia to discuss arms sales for Ukraine war, U.S. says
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Gabon's military leader sworn in following coup in latest African uprising
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published