Paul Ryan addresses chaplain controversy
House Speaker Paul Ryan addressed the chaplain controversy on camera for the first time Tuesday as he recounted his meeting with Father Patrick Conroy at the House Republican leadership weekly news conference.
"We talked about how to improve the services going forward," Ryan said in the Tuesday press availability. "We are going to keep talking to make sure-- I think we can ultimately make improvements so that everyone has access to the pastoral services they are looking for."
Ryan returns to Congress after a brief recess and his ousting of the House chaplain, Father Conroy. The faith leader has since rescinded his resignation letter to the speaker, and Ryan has said he can stay on in his role as faith adviser to members of Congress.
"We had a good meeting this morning, we are going to keep talking and I feel good about where things are," Ryan said.
The speaker said in a statement last week that his original decision was made "in what I believed to be the best interest of this institution."
"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. I intend to sit down with Father Conroy early next week so that we can move forward for the good of the whole House," Ryan said.
The attempt to force out Conroy sparked tensions on Capitol Hill over the last several days. Conroy's impending departure was controversial, and came with little explanation last month. But in a letter dated Thursday, Conroy told Ryan he was formally rescinding his resignation.