2018: Schweikert Effectively Voted Against Investigating The Resignation Of The Chaplain Of The House Of Representatives, Patrick J. Conroy. In May 2017, Schweikert voted to kill a resolution that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, "establish[ed] a select committee to investigate the resignation of Chaplain of the House of Representatives, Patrick J. Conroy." The vote was on a motion to table the resolution. The House tabled the motion by a vote of 223 to 182, effectively killing the resolution. [House Vote 172, 5/8/18; Congressional Quarterly, 5/8/18; Congressional Actions, H. Res. 858]
Conroy Resigned In Early April, But It Later Was Revealed That Speaker Ryan "Pushed Him Out." According to The Hill, "Conroy announced his retirement as chaplain earlier this month, a decision most members thought was voluntary until Thursday, when it emerged that Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) had pushed him out." [The Hill, 4/27/18]
Democrats Claimed That Conroy May Be Have Pushed Out Due To A Prayer That Could Be Perceived As Critical Of The 2017 Tax Cut Bill. According to The Hill, "Democrats have said that they believe Conroy was pushed out at least in part because of a prayer perceived as critical of the GOP tax law, a sentiment the former chaplain also echoed in an interview with The New York Times. Ryan told Republicans that the chaplain's exit did not have anything to do with the prayer." [The Hill, 4/27/18]
Conroy Was Reinstated As House Chaplain. According to the New York Times, "Speaker Paul Ryan reinstated the Rev. Patrick Conroy as the chaplain of the House of Representatives on Thursday, after the chaplain sent him a letter rescinding his forced dismissal and daring the speaker to fire him. 'I have accepted Father Conroy's letter and decided that he will remain in his position as chaplain of the House,' Ryan, R-Wis., said in a statement. He added, 'It is my job as speaker to do what is best for this body, and I know that this body is not well served by a protracted fight over such an important post.' Conroy, a Jesuit priest who has been the chaplain since 2011, intimated in a letter to Ryan on Thursday that the speaker did not have the authority to fire him, noting that the chaplain is elected by the members of the House. He suggested his Roman Catholic faith had contributed to his dismissal." [New York Times via the Seattle Times, 5/3/18]
2018: Schweikert Effectively Voted Against Investigating The Resignation Of The Chaplain Of The House Of Representatives, Patrick J. Conroy. In April 2017, Schweikert voted to kill a resolution that would have, according to The Hill, "set up a select committee to investigate Patrick Conroy's dismissal as House chaplain. In a 215-171 mostly party-line vote, the House turned aside the measure from House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley's (N.Y.), who argued it was necessary to look into the 'motivations and actions' behind Conroy's dismissal." The vote was on a motion to table the resolution. The House tabled the motion by a vote of 215 to 171, effectively killing the resolution. [House Vote 166, 4/27/18; The Hill, 4/27/18; Congressional Actions, H. Res. 856]
Conroy Resigned In Early April, But It Later Was Revealed That Speaker Ryan "Pushed Him Out." According to The Hill, "Conroy announced his retirement as chaplain earlier this month, a decision most members thought was voluntary until Thursday, when it emerged that Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) had pushed him out." [The Hill, 4/27/18]
Democrats Claimed That Conroy May Be Have Pushed Out Due To A Prayer That Could Be Perceived As Critical Of The 2017 Tax Cut Bill. According to The Hill, "Democrats have said that they believe Conroy was pushed out at least in part because of a prayer perceived as critical of the GOP tax law, a sentiment the former chaplain also echoed in an interview with The New York Times. Ryan told Republicans that the chaplain's exit did not have anything to do with the prayer." [The Hill, 4/27/18]