House Speaker Paul Ryan Warns of Budget, Guantanamo Confrontations With White House

New leader doesn’t rule out government shutdown when funding expires Dec. 11.

New House Speaker Paul Ryan struck a confrontational stance with the Obama administration Tuesday, setting the stage for showdowns over domestic spending and national security matters as Congress works to wrap up business for the year.

Mr. Ryan, speaking at The Wall Street Journal CEO Council annual meeting, said a spending bill needed to avoid a government shutdown in December must include Republican policy measures, injecting fresh drama into the year’s final budget fight.

He also forcefully warned President Barack Obama against using executive action to close the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and transfer its detainees to the U.S.

The Wisconsin Republican didn’t explicitly suggest government operations could lapse when funding expires on Dec. 11, but he didn’t rule out such a possibility. He said Republicans will force Mr. Obama to accept some conservative provisions, known as “riders,” in the sweeping spending bill.

“There will have to be some riders in this for us to be able to pass it through Congress,” Mr. Ryan said, noting that Republicans are looking to curb some of the administration’s regulations. “There are a number of regulations being churned out of this administration that we think are killing jobs.”

Mr. Ryan’s comments signaled his eagerness to take an assertive position with congressional Democrats and Mr. Obama.

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