Paul Ryan says House chaplain can keep his job

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) has backed down, announcing Thursday that he will not force the House chaplain, Rev. Patrick Conroy, to resign.

Last month, Conroy said he was blindsided when Ryan requested his resignation, without giving a reason. He agreed to step down, but lawmakers were outraged, and by last Friday, more than 100 House members signed a letter sent to Ryan's office, demanding to know why he wanted Conroy out.

On Thursday, Conroy revealed that he had rescinded his resignation letter, and later, Ryan announced he decided Conroy "will remain in his position as chaplain of the House." Ryan went on to say his original decision "was made in what I believed to be the best interest of this institution. To be clear, that decision was based on my duty to ensure that the House has the kind of pastoral services that it deserves." Conroy's term will expire at the end of the year.

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