House Chaplain Ousted By Speaker Ryan-- Reasons Unclear

The Hill reports that House of Representatives Chaplain Patrick Conroy has resigned under pressure to do so from House Speaker Paul Ryan.  Conroy, a Jesuit priest, had served as House Chaplain since 2011.  The reason for Conroy's ouster is unclear, and a bipartisan group of Representatives are circulating a letter asking Ryan to explain his action. Some have suggested that the firing stems from a prayer delivered by Conroy in November that could have been seen as critical of the Republican tax-cut bill then under consideration.