The sudden resignation of House chaplain Patrick Conroy has sparked a furor on Capitol Hill, with inside sources from both parties saying he was forced out by House Speaker Paul Ryan, according to The Hill.
According to The Hill’s report, “four different sources” say that Conroy was told he must retire or he would be fired.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers are planning to send a letter to Ryan seeking out more information on Conroy’s removal. The letter is currently gathering signatures.
Democrats think Ryan pushed Conroy out “because Republicans thought he was aligned with Democrats,” according to a senior Democratic aide speaking to The Hill. House chaplains are supposed to be nonpartisan.
Another Dem lawmaker said that Ryan was upset with a prayer Conroy gave that was perceived to be critical of the GOP tax bill.
From The Hill:
On Nov. 6 — the first day of the markup on the GOP’s tax bill — Conroy in a prayer urged lawmakers to ensure the legislation did not exacerbate the nation’s gaping class disparities.
“May all Members be mindful that the institutions and structures of our great Nation guarantee the opportunities that have allowed some to achieve great success, while others continue to struggle,” Conroy said during his prayer. “May their efforts these days guarantee that there are not winners and losers under new tax laws, but benefits balanced and shared by all Americans.”
A source also says Conroy’s decision to invite a Muslim to give an opening prayer contributed to his ouster.
“Some of the more conservative evangelical Republicans didn’t like that the Father had invited a Muslim person to give the opening prayer,” the source said according to The Hill.
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