The House rejected a resolution on Friday that would have set up a select committee to investigate Patrick Conroy’s dismissal as House chaplain.

In a 215-171 mostly party-line vote, the House turned aside the measure from House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley Joseph (Joe) CrowleyHillicon Valley: Election officials prepare for new Russian interference battle | 'Markeyverse' of online fans helps take down a Kennedy | GOP senators unveil bill to update tech liability protections 'Markeyverse' of online fans helps take down a Kennedy The Hill's Campaign Report: Trump visits Kenosha | Primary day in Massachusetts | GOP eyes Minnesota as a battleground MORE’s (N.Y.), who argued it was necessary to look into the “motivations and actions” behind Conroy’s dismissal.

Conroy announced his retirement as chaplain earlier this month, a decision most members thought was voluntary until Thursday, when it emerged that Speaker Paul Ryan Paul Davis RyanKenosha will be a good bellwether in 2020 At indoor rally, Pence says election runs through Wisconsin Juan Williams: Breaking down the debates MORE (R-Wis.) had pushed him out.

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Ryan told GOP lawmakers during a meeting on Friday that politics did not play a role in the dismissal, saying that Conroy had not met the “pastoral needs” of lawmakers.





Democrats have said that they believe Conroy was pushed out at least in part because of a prayer perceived as critical of the GOP tax law, a sentiment the former chaplain also echoed in an interview with The New York Times.

Ryan told Republicans that the chaplain’s exit did not have anything to do with the prayer.

Crowley said Conroy’s dismissal was “not reflective of the integrity of the House.”

A few Republicans offered support for Crowley’s resolution, and two — GOP Reps. Pat Meehan Patrick (Pat) Leo MeehanBottom line Freshman lawmaker jokes about pace of Washington politics Many authors of GOP tax law will not be returning to Congress MORE (Pa.) and Tom Reed Thomas (Tom) W. ReedCentrist House group offers bipartisan COVID-19 relief deal House approves two child care bills aimed at pandemic Diabetes Caucus co-chairs say telehealth expansion to continue beyond pandemic MORE (N.Y.) — stood with Democrats behind Crowley on the floor.

Republican Reps. Scott Taylor Scott William TaylorBottom line Bottom line Republican Scott Taylor wins Virginia primary, to face Elaine Luria in rematch MORE (Va.) David Joyce David Patrick JoyceRepublicans shrug off Kasich's Democratic convention speech The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by The American Investment Council - Trump takes his 'ready to reopen' mantra on the road GE cutting up to one-quarter of aviation unit's workers MORE (Ohio) and Thomas Rooney (Fla.) voted present.

Crowly said he will push for more answers when lawmakers return from recess.

"Well I think that we have time to discuss it amongst our colleagues and when we get back there'll be further action," he told The Hill.

The New York Democrat said he hasn't spoken to Ryan about Conroy since the news broke, but attempted to find him on the House floor Thursday to discuss the situation.

—Melanie Zanona contributed.