House Democrats will oppose a short-term funding bill when it comes to the floor Thursday afternoon, forcing House Speaker Paul Ryan to get 218 votes all on his own. That's something he hasn't been able to accomplish yet, nor could his predecessor John Boehner. They haven't passed a spending bill with just Republican votes since 2011, when they took over the chamber.
Pelosi said Democrats have no interest in a government shutdown, but they can't support the GOP's continuing resolution because it omits a long list of provisions the Democrats consider must-pass this year, including protections for so-called Dreamers and funding for the opioid crisis, hurricane and wildfire relief, veterans issues and pension protections.
"This is a waste of time," she said.
Pelosi declared that the Republicans have the responsibility to pass their own spending bills since they control both chambers.
Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), appearing at the same lectern just minutes after Pelosi left it, said he's optimistic the Republicans can win the GOP support to pass their continuing resolution on Thursday.
"I feel good where we are," Ryan said. "It's kind of basic governing."
Yes indeed, Ryan, it's basic governing that you've never been able to achieve without Pelosi coming along to bail you out. Now that there's a supposedly united government—Republicans in control of the House, Senate, and White House—it is something Ryan should be able to achieve on his own.
And it is absolutely time that Democrats make him do it.