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- Sep 30, 2011
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Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) on Friday raised the possibility that House Republicans could decide not to lay out a budget blueprint this year if the party cannot unite behind a proposal.
Ryan told members at a closed-door conference meeting that they could skip the budget process altogether, even as he strongly signaled that it would be the wrong move.
“It would be a shame, but the sky won't fall if we don't do a budget,” he said, according to a person in the room.
He noted that Congress is not “staring down a cliff” that would force them into a final vote this year because of the two-year deal struck last fall between his predecessor, then-Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), and the White House.
The remarks represent the first time that Ryan has suggested even the possibility of not putting out a budget, something Republicans have assailed Democrats for in the past.
It would be a surprising move from the former Budget Committee chairman, who has vowed to break Congress’s crisis-driven cycle of passing spending bills.
Some Republicans say it’s a sign that the Speaker is taking a more cautious approach than his predecessor.
“I think he is lowering expectations,” said Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), who leads a House Appropriations Committee. “I think that’s been one of the hallmarks of his very young speakership, is to try and be realistic ... and not promise more than you can possibly deliver.”
Ryan floats skipping budget
Given the circumstances, this would be unwise.
Ryan told members at a closed-door conference meeting that they could skip the budget process altogether, even as he strongly signaled that it would be the wrong move.
“It would be a shame, but the sky won't fall if we don't do a budget,” he said, according to a person in the room.
He noted that Congress is not “staring down a cliff” that would force them into a final vote this year because of the two-year deal struck last fall between his predecessor, then-Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), and the White House.
The remarks represent the first time that Ryan has suggested even the possibility of not putting out a budget, something Republicans have assailed Democrats for in the past.
It would be a surprising move from the former Budget Committee chairman, who has vowed to break Congress’s crisis-driven cycle of passing spending bills.
Some Republicans say it’s a sign that the Speaker is taking a more cautious approach than his predecessor.
“I think he is lowering expectations,” said Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), who leads a House Appropriations Committee. “I think that’s been one of the hallmarks of his very young speakership, is to try and be realistic ... and not promise more than you can possibly deliver.”
Ryan floats skipping budget
Given the circumstances, this would be unwise.
