GOP Rep. caught in affair scandal to resign from Congress

PHOTO: Tim Murphy is the U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania's 18th congressional district,...
PHOTO: Tim Murphy is the U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania's 18th congressional district, serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously served in the Pennsylvania Senate, Photo Date: 3/14/13(WKYT)
Published: Oct. 5, 2017 at 4:23 PM EDT
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GOP Rep. Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania, caught up in tawdry revelations of an extramarital affair, is resigning from Congress.

That's the word from House Speaker Paul Ryan. Murphy, an anti-abortion lawmaker, allegedly urged his mistress to get an abortion when he thought she was pregnant.

Ryan says Murphy has sent him a letter announcing his resignation, effective Oct. 21.

Ryan says the decision was Murphy's but he supports "Murphy's decision to move on to the next chapter of his life."

Murphy is serving his eighth term representing a district in southwestern Pennsylvania, including parts of suburban Pittsburgh. The district is a safe Republican seat, with Republican Donald Trump beating Democrat Hillary Clinton by a margin of three-to-two in last November's presidential election.

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