Speaker Ryan's Budget Hypocrisy: That Was Then, This Is Now
Just a few years ago, Speaker Ryan offered some sharp words about the prospect of Congress not passing a budget:
"The unprecedented collapse of the budget process and lack of spending restraint undermines economic growth and job creation….A clear signal is being sent to American families struggling to meet their own budgets…A staggering abdication of a fundamental act of governing." [June 2010]
"American families struggling to meet their own budgets deserve better. Spin is no substitute for a real budget, real spending restraints, and real leadership." [June 2010]
This Is Now…
But today, the Speaker isn't listening to his own finger-wagging. As The Hill reports, Speaker Ryan is quickly backing away from his high-minded promise to restore "regular order" to the House and pass a budget:
The GOP's chances of passing a budget this year are dwindling…
…the party's aggressive timeline is quickly moving out of reach, according to GOP aides and budget experts, making it increasingly likely the party will be forced to resort to another short-term funding measure or omnibus spending bill…
GOP leaders have said they want to pass all 12 annual spending bills before Congress's August recess, hoping to put the party's governing capabilities on display ahead of the elections. Any move otherwise could damage Republicans politically after they repeatedly vowed to restore "regular order" upon gaining control of both chambers last year…
Ryan on Friday, for the first time, acknowledged that not passing a budget is a possibility this year, though it would be an outcome that most House Republicans would despise…
Another conservative, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) said earlier this year that passing the budget was the GOP's "one job this year."
"If we are here next year having just passed an omnibus, that is an F-minus [for Ryan]…"
Speaker Ryan should heed his own warning: this "budget collapse" will send a "clear signal" to American families about House Republican dysfunction.