Ryan Reportedly Urged White House Not To Fire Tom Price

FILE - In this Jan. 31, 2017 file photo, House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis. arrives with Health and Human Services Secretary-designate, Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga. on Capitol Hill in Washington, for a closed-door GOP strategy... FILE - In this Jan. 31, 2017 file photo, House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis. arrives with Health and Human Services Secretary-designate, Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga. on Capitol Hill in Washington, for a closed-door GOP strategy session. Top House Republicans say their outline for replacing President Barack Obama’s health care law is a pathway to greater flexibility and lower costs for consumers. Democrats see it as a road to ruin that will mean lost coverage and bigger medical expenses for millions, particularly poorer people.(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) MORE LESS
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Shortly before the White House announced that Tom Price would resign from his role as health and human services secretary, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) reportedly made a plea to reconsider the decision to fire Price.

White House Chief of Staff John Kelly called Ryan just minutes before the White House made the announcement on Friday afternoon to let him know that Price would step down, Politico reported, citing two people with knowledge of the call.

Ryan then asked Kelly to reconsider firing Price and noted the former secretary’s work in Congress and in the Trump administration, per Politico; however, Kelly told Ryan that the decision had already been made.

Ryan’s statement about Price’s resignation Friday did not mention the former health secretary’s extensive use of private jets. Instead, it offered praise for Price.

“Tom Price is a good man. He has spent his entire adult life fighting for others, first as a physician and then as a legislator and public servant,” Ryan said in the statement. “He was a leader in the House and a superb health secretary. His vision and hard work were vital to the House’s success passing our health care legislation. I will always be grateful for Tom’s service to this country and, above all, his continued friendship.”

Price stepped down following reports that he spent about $1 million of taxpayers’ dollars to fly to official events on either private or government planes.

His use of expensive travel options, as well as the non-commercial flying habits of other Cabinet members, have prompted department watchdogs and Congress alike to launch probes into Trump administration officials’ travel habits. The White House also issued a memo reminding officials to find the the least expensive mode of transportation possible when booking their travel.

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Notable Replies

  1. Trump is trying to get Ryan primaried. Just like Bannon and Mercer want.

  2. Avatar for erik_t erik_t says:

    Bizarre use of political capital on Ryan’s part, or a recognition that he does not have any political capital, but might as well try to play the loyalty card?

  3. Leaks, leak, leaks…

    But anyway, take Trump out on the equation, Price had been in office for eight months and the only thing he had to show was embarrassing traveling expenses. That pretty much gets you fired everywhere.

  4. Avatar for caltg caltg says:

    Schmucks of a feather stick together, in the Trump swamp.

  5. I would love to see it , even if there is not much hope for a Dem in his district
    It was 65R/30D /5 Ind last time

    District is gerrymandered to shit

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