May 3, 2018 - Politics & Policy

Ryan to keep House Chaplain after he rescinded his resignation

Reverend Patrick J. Conroy. Photo: Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call via Getty Images

House Chaplain Rev. Patrick J. Conroy, who was abruptly dismissed by Speaker Paul Ryan last month, will stay on as House Chaplain according to a statement from Ryan.

In a letter to House leaders Thursday, Conroy — who has held the position since 2011 — rescinded his resignation following the outrage over his ouster, reports the Washington Post. He said: “I have never been disciplined, nor reprimanded, nor have I ever heard a complaint about my ministry during my time as House chaplain."

The details: Ryan said his decision to remove Conroy "was made in what I believed to be the best interest" of the House, and he will be sitting down with Conroy next week.

Go deeper

Alayna Treene, Sam Baker
2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Amy Coney Barrett's immediate impact

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

In her first week on the job, Amy Coney Barrett may be deciding which votes to count in the presidential election. By her third week, she’ll be deciding the fate of the Affordable Care Act.

Where it stands: The Senate votes on Barrett’s nomination tomorrow. If she’s confirmed, Chief Justice John Roberts is expected to swear her in at the Supreme Court within hours, an administration official tells Axios.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Alexi McCammond, Hans Nichols
2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Texas Democrats beg Biden to spend now

Photo: Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

The Biden campaign is rebuffing persistent pleas from Texas Democrats to spend at least $10 million in the Lone Star state, several people familiar with the talks tell Axios.

Why it matters: If Texas — which has 38 electoral votes and is steadily getting more blue, but hasn't backed a Democrat for president since 1976 — flipped to the Biden column, it would be game over. But the RealClearPolitics polling average stubbornly hovers at +2.6 for Trump — and Team Biden appears more focused on closer targets.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Alayna Treene, author of Sneak Peek
2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Election night in Trumpworld

Photo illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Photo: Chris Carlson-Pool/Getty Images

A luxe election-night watch party at the Trump International Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue is being planned for President Trump's donors, friends and advisers — but Trump's hand in it is minimal because he's "very superstitious" — people familiar with the plans tell Axios.

The big picture: This "mecca for all things MAGA," as one adviser described it, is one of three hubs where they say Trumpworld will watch returns. The others are the war room at campaign HQ in Rosslyn, Virginia, and the White House residence, where Trump and the first lady will gather close family and advisers before heading to the hotel later that night, the sources said.

Go deeper (<1 min. read)Arrow