'Dropping like flies': CNN panel lists off congressmen in both parties who've resigned -- so far

In the wake of news that Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ) would be resigning that came eight hours after a similar announcement from Sen. Al Franken (D-MN), CNN's Gloria Borger said what we were all thinking: "they are dropping like flies."

"Rather than face an ethics committee investigation, that would be long and drawn out," Borger said, "[Franks] decided to quit."

In his statement, Franks confirmed that he'd asked two female employees to be surrogate mothers for him, but denied that he'd ever "physically intimidated, coerced, or had, or attempted to have, any sexual contact with any member of my congressional staff."

Borger noted that with his resignation, which will be effective as of January 31, 2018, the House Ethics Committee "would no longer have jurisdiction over him" and could not punish him for his inappropriate conduct.

Franks and Franken joined Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) in resigning amid sexual misconduct allegations this week, while Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-TX) has yet to do so despite revelations of his $84,000 harassment settlement. Shortly after Franks announced his resignation, news broke that the House Ethics Committee is launching an investigation into Farenthold.

Watch Borger discuss the four most recent congressmen taken down by sexual misconduct claims below, via CNN.