"This is not an appropriations bill with a few policy riders," Pelosi told reporters in the Capitol. "This is a Tea Party policy wish list with an appropriations bill as an addendum to it.
"This is not the way you … fulfill a budget that fulfills the needs of the American people."
Pelosi and the Democrats wasted no time this week rejecting the Republicans' initial package to fund the government through September, citing more than 30 "poison pill" policy attachments the Democrats deem unacceptable.
The Democrats have declined to release the full list of objectionable provisions, but Pelosi, in vague terms, cited several measures she said would empower Wall Street banks and other special interests at the expense of consumers and working families.
"What they sent us … takes your breath away," she said.
Pelosi accused GOP leaders of hijacking the negotiations between bipartisan appropriators in both chambers.
She said those negotiators were working carefully to eliminate the riders they knew were non-starters with the other party, only to have Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) ignore that progress.
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