Title: Raising a question of the privileges of the House.
Policy area: Congress

Summary:
Establishes a select committee to investigate the actions and motivations behind the resignation of Father Patrick Conroy, Chaplain of the House of Representatives.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 856 Laid on Table in House (LTH)]

<DOC>






115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 856

           Raising a question of the privileges of the House.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 27, 2018

 Mr. Crowley submitted the following resolution; which was laid on the 
                                 table

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
           Raising a question of the privileges of the House.

Whereas Father Patrick Conroy has served honorably as House Chaplain since May 
        25th of 2011, when he was appointed by Speaker John Boehner in 
        consultation with Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi;
Whereas Father Conroy had been re-appointed and approved by the House of 
        Representatives on three separate occasions, most recently January 3rd 
        of 2017;
Whereas, on April 16, 2018, the Nation's first Jesuit, and only the second 
        Catholic, Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives 
        submitted his resignation before the full House;
Whereas this resignation was forced by Paul D. Ryan, Speaker of the House of 
        Representatives and Members of the House Republican Conference;
Whereas the Speaker's team said ``. . . the decision (to remove the Chaplain) 
        was his (Speaker Ryan's)'';
Whereas the lack of notification of his forced resignation, or adequate 
        explanation provided by Speaker Paul D. Ryan is not reflective of the 
        integrity of the House of Representatives;
Whereas, on November 6, 2017, during debate on the GOP tax scam, the Chaplain 
        led an opening prayer asking God to bless Congress and for Congress to 
        ``guarantee that there are not winners and losers under the new tax 
        laws, but benefits balanced and shared by all Americans'';
Whereas this prayer reflects the core values of many Americans, in particular 
        people of the Catholic faith, including care and concern for the poor 
        and the marginalized;
Whereas, on April 9, 2018, Pope Francis published his third apostolic 
        exhortation entitled ``Gaudete et Exsultate'' or rejoice and be heard 
        which states that Christians must care for the poor, the sick, and the 
        immigrant;
Whereas, under the GOP tax bill, more than 80 percent of its benefits flow to 
        the richest 1 percent and the corporate special interests, ignoring the 
        needs for struggling men and women and children;
Whereas this prayer has been reported to be the chief reason for Father Conroy's 
        forced resignation by the Republican Conference;
Whereas the dismissal of Father Conroy following this prayer shows Republicans' 
        true refusal to embody the values of faith and charity in their 
        legislative work;
Whereas Father Conroy's forced resignation is concerning to a number of Members 
        of both sides of the aisle;
Whereas the House of Representatives would benefit from being guided by a 
        Chaplain with a commitment to caring about those most in need;
Whereas the rights of Members of the House of Representatives were undermined 
        when the leader of one party made a unilateral decision to dismiss the 
        Chaplain;
Whereas this forced resignation has compromised the dignity of the House of 
        Representatives by politicizing the office of the House Chaplain; and
Whereas the circumstances behind his resignation compromised the integrity and 
        dignity of the House of Representatives: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That--
            (1) there is hereby established a Select Committee to 
        investigate the actions and motivations behind the resignation 
        of the House Chaplain;
            (2) the Select Committee shall be comprised of six members, 
        of which three shall be appointed by the Chair of the Committee 
        on Ethics, and three by the Ranking Member of the Committee on 
        Ethics; and
            (3) the Select Committee shall investigate the motivations 
        and actions of the Speaker behind the resignation of the House 
        Chaplain.
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