Newt Gingrich pushed for “bipartisan negotiating” to end the government shutdown.
The former House Speaker led Republicans during the government shutdown in 1995-1996, which had been previously the longest government shutdown. On Saturday, the current partial shutdown broke that record when it entered its fourth week.
Although Gingrich said the lengthy shutdown during his tenure was “painful,” he said it was worth it it because then-President Bill Clinton agreed to work with Republicans in Congress.
“Having led congressional Republicans during the longest #shutdown prior to this one people ask me how to get to an end game. In our case, in 1995-96, we had a genuine breakthrough, and President Clinton agreed to work toward a balanced budget,” Gingrich tweeted Saturday.
1995/96 #shutdown established principle of tough bipartisan negotiating. Out of it came welfare reform, largest capital gains tax cut in history, 4 consecutive balanced budgets(only time this has occurred in our lifetime). Shutdown was painful, but outcome was consequential (2/2) https://t.co/ZNiZfl7EYs
— Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) January 12, 2019
“1995/96 #shutdown established principle of tough bipartisan negotiating,” Gingrich continued. “Out of it came welfare reform, largest capital gains tax cut in history, 4 consecutive balanced budgets(only time this has occurred in our lifetime). Shutdown was painful, but outcome was consequential.”
1995/96 #shutdown established principle of tough bipartisan negotiating. Out of it came welfare reform, largest capital gains tax cut in history, 4 consecutive balanced budgets(only time this has occurred in our lifetime). Shutdown was painful, but outcome was consequential (2/2) https://t.co/ZNiZfl7EYs
— Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) January 12, 2019
Several federal agencies ran out of funding Dec. 21, when Trump and Democrats could not reach an agreement over bill that included funding for a physical barrier at the southern border.
Trump has continuously said he would not sign a bill that did not including funding for the wall, while Democratic leaders say they will not vote to pass a bill that allocates the $5.7 billion the president deems necessary for its construction.
Neither side seems to have budged at all in the four weeks the government has been shut down, and thousands of federal employees have not been paid for their work or have been forced to take leave without pay.
