When Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI) was handed the Speaker's gavel he said it would be his priority to "return to regular order" and "open up the process" of passing appropriations bills, but it appears that plan has already been abandoned just a week after he was sworn in.
Speaker Ryan and Majority Whip Scalise tested the waters by floating a financial services appropriations bill, but they found little to no support for passing it or other bills.
House Majority Whip Steve Scalise’s vote counters discovered widespread opposition to a financial services appropriations bill. Members are worried about a range of issues, including taking tough votes for legislation that stands no chance of being signed into law, according to multiple members of the GOP whip team.
Scalise’s squad – at Ryan’s behest – asked lawmakers whether they would support bringing the financial services appropriations bill to the floor when the House returns Nov. 16. They found resistance from all corners of the party.
As I've said several times before, the dynamics that prevent the GOP from mustering enough votes to pass their own legislation will persist even under a new speaker. Speaker Ryan has inherited the dysfunction that made Speaker Boehner cry.
The Flying Monkey Freedom Caucus will not support legislation that is acceptable to House or Senate Democrats or the president, and there are enough Republicans and Democrats who will not support legislation that is acceptable to the Freedom Caucus to prevent it from passing. This means almost all must-pass legislation will require a combination of Republican and Democratic votes to pass.
While you could say it is the duty of Congress to complete the appropriations process, there are other ways to fund the government. Other ways are the only way the government will be funded as long as Republicans control the House.