Ryan: No spending bills without broader budget plan

WASHINGTON (AP) — Top GOP lawmakers Tuesday promised increased spending for veterans' programs and National Guard construction projects but Speaker Paul Ryan says House Republicans need to bridge a broader divide over the budget before those spending increases — and others — can advance further.

Under Capitol Hill's arcane budget process, Congress is supposed to set the appropriations cap each year as part of a more sweeping budget blueprint and Ryan said Tuesday that he won't orchestrate passage of a shortcut measure that would allow the 12 annual spending bills to come to the floor if Republicans remain divided.

The annual spending bills typically consume the better part of three months or so of the House calendar, giving rank-and-file lawmakers lots of opportunities to offer amendments reallocating funds or seeking to shape policy through "riders" that can, for instance, try to block administration rules on environmental regulations.