Newt Gingrich on Government Reform Former Republican Representative (GA-6) and Speaker of the House

Sub-sections under Government Reform:
• Bureaucracy Reform
• Campaign Finance Reform
• God and Government
• Voting Record
• Other issues under Government Reform

1990s: Fund federal projects in vulnerable GOP districts

As GOP conference chairman, Boehner continued to criticize Chairman Shuster's earmarking antics.

Historically ignorant leaders make suicidally stupid policy

GINGRICH: If you want to understand how totally broken Washington is, look at this entire model of the super committee, which has now got a magic number to achieve. Now, the idea that you have a bunch of historically illiterate politicians who have no sophistication about national security trying to make a numerical decision about the size of the defense budget tells you everything you nee to know about the bankruptcy of the current elite in this country in both parties. The fact is, we ought to first figure out what threaten us, we ought to figure out what strategies will respond to that. We should figure out what structures we need for those strategies. We should then cost them. I'm a cheap hawk. But the fact is, to say I'm going to put the security of the US up against some arbitrary budget number is suicidally stupid.

Press corps focuses on campaign minutia & not basic ideas

Q: I think those are questions that a lot of peopl want to hear answers to, and you're responsible for your record.

I think that there's too much attention paid by the press corps about the campaign minutia and not enough paid by the press corps to the basic ideas that distinguish us from Barack Obama.

Passing massive debt to next generation is immoral

Press plays “gotcha”; limit press briefings

1995 government shutdown from GOP underestimating Clinton

We passed a bill funding the Department of the Interior, and he vetoed it, closing the national parks. Likewise, he vetoed bills covering the Departments of Health and Human Services, State, Justice, Labor, and Education, among others. We not only lost the battle over the legislation itself, but the far more important one for the public’s understanding and approval of what we were trying to do. The second shutdown, with stretched for three weeks over the 1995 Christmas holidays, seared into the public’s mind a deeply negative impression.

1994 GOP victory destroyed bipartisanship

The liberals viewed us as interlopers who had somehow usurped what belonged to them by right. In their view, they had to attack us and drive us from power by any and all possible means, and in the shortest time possible.

This was a perfectly understandable response for liberals who had controlled the House for 60 of the last 64 years. Nor did we on our part do anything to mitigate their determination. On the contrary, we spoke and behaved as if there were little ground on which to build any kind of bipartisan cooperation. Sam Rayburn had famously said that to get along you had to go along. But we were in no mood either to get along or to go along. This principle worked only when people agreed on the basic things, but could not apply in the case of real ideological difference.

Government should take management lesson from private sector

When she described her wait to me, it occurred to me that we have been conditioned to keep two separate clocks in our heads, a clock with a second hand for private transactions and a clock that moves only in 15-minute increments for government offices.

One of the first things we have to learn is how to apply to the public sector the principles that have made the American economy the wonder of the world. The reason is the bottom line.

The public sector too, ought to be considering its bottom line, measured not in individual or corporate earnings but in terms of meeting goals to ensure a safe, prosperous, healthy, and free future for our children and grandchildren.

Class mobility is key part of America’s genius

Wrote "Contract with America" as conservative platform

The Contract With America propelled the Republicans to victory and Gingrich into the Speaker's office, but it was, after all, just another political platform. The Contract by itself still would be gathering dust were it not for the political machine that marketed it through 230 winning candidates. In 1994, Gingrich supplied not only the language of victory, he wrote the description of the problem, commissioned the solutions, recruited the candidates, and campaigned until hoarse from them. For the Republican candidate in need of support, Gingrich was hard to avoid.

The era of big government is over, and I mean it

Abolish all White House Czars

A:I wouldn't even if I could because congressional passage offers legitimacy of the consent of the governed to the law. Big impact can be made with executive orders though. I would stop EPA from regulating carbon & abolish all White House Czars.

Constitution begins "we the people" not "we the government"

Replace Washington controls with American ideals

1. Work vs. theft
2. Productivity vs. union work rules and bureaucracy
3. Elected representation vs. bureaucrats & judges
4. Honesty vs. corruption
5. Low taxes with limited government vs. high taxes with big government
6. Private property vs. government controls
7. Localism vs. Washington control
8. American energy vs. environmental extremism
9. Conflict resolutio vs. litigation
10. Religious belief vs. secular oppression

Democrats say they oppose earmarks, but proposed 8,000

And so I was startled that he was saying to us that he opposed to earmarks; [I suppose maybe] later he'll really oppose them.

GOP wins election and then loses the government

I think that there are two grave lessons for the conservative movement since 1980. The first, which we still haven't come to grips with, is that governing

Replace bureaucratic mindset with Entrepreneurial Management

• Change the mindset of big government by replacing bureaucratic public administration with Entrepreneurial Public Management so government can operate with the speed, effectiveness, & efficiency of the information age.
• Balance the federal budget and insist on a lean government, low tax, low interest rate economy to maximize growth.
• Insist on congressional reform to make the legislative branch responsive to the needs of the 21st century.

Supreme Court has become permanent Constitutional Convention

This power grab by the Court is a modern phenomenon and a dramatic break in American history. The danger is that the courts will move us from a self-understanding that we are one nation “under God”, to a nation under the rule of the state, where rights are accorded to individuals not by our Creator, but by those in power ruling over them. History is replete with examples of this failed model of might-makes-right--Nazism, fascism, communism--and their disastrous consequences.

Election process has become incumbency protection racket

The very wealthy simply go through a loophole in the new campaign law and create irresponsible 527 organizations.

Faced with incumbency protection, lobbyist friends, and huge war chests, House and Senate members find it impossible to say no and simply keep bloating the federal government into an engine of spending which attracts even more money into lobbying and interest group activities and makes the system even more vulnerable to corruption.

Real change needed for lobbying reform, not just piecemeal

Legislators who are scrambling in the aftermath of the Jack Abramoff scandal to enact piecemeal reforms to lobbying rules believe they are enacting change, and that may well be. But REAL CHANGE means understanding that the problem isn't an individual lobbyist. The problem in Washington is a government so powerful and bloated that a special interest group would decide it's worth their while to spend $80 million to hire a lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Real change means understanding that government larded with pet projects and unnecessary spending is an invitation to corruption. The way to end that corruption is through a recommitment to limited but effective government.

Contract With America: deep cuts in Medicare/Medicaid/taxes

The Contract was a strategy to nationalize local elections and turn congressional races into a referendum on Republican terms. Newt Gingrich's glee [was unmoderated on election] night. He would become the next Speaker of the House, the first Republican since 1954. He magnanimously offered to work with Democrats to push the Contract with American through Congress in record time.

Established systems are inherently hostile to change

Elected on anti-corruption platform in 1978

Rethink every aspect of bureaucracy

1. Have we included the enormous potential of new scientific discoveries and their accompanying technologies?
2. We must ask of every government effort: is it really necessary for government to be engaged in this?
3. If government ought to be responsible for a particular program or function, is it necessary that the program be centralized in Washington, or would society be better off if it were devolved to state and local government?
4. If it is decided that only the federal government can be in charge of something, are we implementing the program with the best applicable new science and technology?

Big Government is a 20th century idea; let it die

World War II was the ultimate creator of the large state in America. The success of our temporary effort to mobilize an entire free people intoxicated a number of liberal intellectuals. Many young people who were at the center of the war effort could never distinguish between the temporary subordination of a free people to a great national cause and the inevitable decay and dishonesty that would come if wartime controls were transmuted into a permanent peacetime system.

The Cold War gave big government a good excuse to hang on for yet another generation. But the case against the centralized state began to make headway.

Devolve power first to states, then to cities & families

Yet our ultimate goal is to move power even beyond the state capitals. However, much as I sympathize with both state and local governments, what we really want to do is to devolve power all the way out of government and back to working American families. We want to leave choices and resources in the hands of individuals and let them decide if they prefer government, the profit-making sector, the nonprofit sector, or even no solution at all to their problems.

Republicans envision a decentralized America in which responsibility is returned to the individual. We believe in volunteerism and local leadership. We believe that a country with 10 million local volunteer leaders is stronger than one with a thousand brilliant national leaders.

Monthly "Corrections Day" to remove destructive rules

For my entire life, I've been listening to politicians explain to audiences that, although they can understand people's frustrations, they really have very little control over the bureaucracy. Again and again people go to their elected representative and bring some particularly harmful, arrogant, or wasteful behavior to their attention only to get sympathy--but no action.

12-year term limits ok; 6-year limits empower bureaucrats

Six-year term limits for the House of Representatives is popular, but frankly I do not believe that gives members enough time to learn the legislative leadership process. After all, a 6-year term limit would require leaders to emerge with only one or at most terms 2 terms (and they would then serve for only one more.) I believe the 6-year term limit would guarantee an ignorant legislative branch and an enormous transfer of power to professional staffs, bureaucracies, and lobbyists.

I believe in lean bureaucracy, not in no bureaucracy

You can walk into a Wal-Mart store today and have your credit card approved in 2.3 seconds. And yet it takes the Veterans Department six weeks to answer your letter. We Republicans see the efficiency of Wal-Mart and of UPS; we want to change government to be as courteous, efficient, speedy, and effective as those companies. The Democrats see those companies, and they want to apply litigation, regulation, and taxation to make sure the companies become more like government.
--Speech, Republican National Convention in Houston. August 18, 1992

Allow unlimited campaign contributions to anybody

Gingrich added, "The next step is the one Justice Clarence Thomas cited--candidates should be allowed to take unlimited amounts of money from anybody. And you would, overnight, equalize the middle class and the rich."

Supported Citizens United; opposed McCain Feingold

Gingrich has been a harsh critic of McCain-Feingold, saying in 2006 that it ought to have been named the "McCain-Feingold censorship law." According to Gingrich, "A truly functioning campaign system would allow individuals to make unlimited contributions to candidates for Congress in their district, so long as it is reported immediately on the Internet and is transparent & accessible."

Gingrich strongly supported Citizens United in their challenge against the constitutionality of the McCain Feingold bill, and recently appeared in a video produced by Citizen United commemorating the anniversary of the successful ruling.

CFR protects incumbents by limiting free speech

Supporters of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law say that it's meant to make our elections fairer by leveling the playing field for average Americans. But in fact, it's had the effect of silencing average voters by limiting their freedom of speech.

The First Amendment to the Constitution says, "Congress shall make no law abridging freedom of speech." It does not say Congress can abridge speech it doesn't like. The First Amendment was designed to protect political speech. No law, no matter how laudable its objectives, should limit the right of Americans to complain about, compliment, or otherwise comment on those to whom "we the people" have loaned power.

Increase federal limits on individual campaign contributions

Indicate which principles you support regarding campaign finance reform.
• Support legislation that would increase the federal limits on individual contributions.
• Strengthen and enforce legislation that encourages full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information.
• Prohibit non-U.S. citizens from making contributions to federal campaigns.

End judicial supremacy; preserve our Godly heritage

The Declaration of Independence assumes that God is sovereign over the universe. And it assumes that man must obey an order of justice God Himself has instituted.

The challenge comes from a bigoted anti-religious judiciary asserting a doctrine of judicial supremacy. In hostility to American history, these anti-religious bigots insist that religious belief is inherently divisive, and that public debate can proceed on secular terms only when religious belief is excluded.

Insist on judges who understand our rights come from God

For most Americans, prayer is real, and we subordinate ourselves to a God on whom we call for wisdom, guidance, and salvation.

For most Americans, the prospect of a ruthlessly secular society that would forbid public reference to God and systematically remove all religious symbols from the public square is horrifying.

Yet, the voice of the overwhelming majority of Americans is rejected by a media-academic-legal elite. Our schools have been steadily driving the mention of God out of American history. Our courts have been literally outlawing references to God, religious symbols, and prayer.

We have passively accepted the judiciary’s assault on the values of the overwhelming majority of Americans. It is time to insist on judges who understand that throughout our history, Americans have believed that their fundamental rights come from God and are therefore unalienable.

Insist on judges who understand our rights come from God

• For most Americans, the blessings of God have been the basis of our liberty, prosperity, and survival as a unique country.
• For most Americans, prayer is real, and we subordinate ourselves to a God on whom we call for wisdom, guidance, and salvation.
• For most Americans, the prospect of a ruthlessly secular society that would forbid public reference to God and systematically remove all religious symbols from the public square is horrifying.

It is time to insist on judges who understand that throughout our history--and continuing to this day--Americans have believed that their fundamental rights come from God and are therefore unalienable.

Our rights come from God, not from government

The Declaration of Independence contains four references to God: as lawmaker, as Creator, as Supreme Judge, and as Protector. The Declaration of Independence represents both the genesis and heart of American liberty. Our rights come from our Creator, not the government, sovereign, or King.

Americans want public officials to live a Christian life

First 100 days: votes on 10 items of Contract with America

Clinton noted that only 2 of the 10 items in the Republican Contract also had passed the Senate, and had been signed into law by him: One held Congress to the same laws that are imposed on everyone else, & the 2nd limited "unfunded mandates."

Gingrich gave his nationally televised speech, laying out a simple core theme. The federal budget had to be balanced in 7 years. This was Gingrich's great moment, the completion of the first 100 days though he had had to share top billing with the president.

Identify constitutionality in every new congressional bill.

The Contract from America, clause 1. Protect the Constitution:

Require each bill to identify the specific provision of the Constitution that gives Congress the power to do what the bill does.

Audit federal agencies, to reform or eliminate them.

The Contract from America, clause 5. Restore Fiscal Responsibility & Constitutionally Limited Government in Washington:

Create a Blue Ribbon taskforce that engages in a complete audit of federal agencies and programs, assessing their Constitutionality,

Moratorium on all earmarks until budget is balanced.

The Contract from America, clause 9. Stop the Pork:

Place a moratorium on all earmarks until the budget is balanced, and then require a 2/3 majority to pass any earmark.

Limit punitive damages; term limits on Congress.

[As part of the Contract with America, within 100 days we pledge to bring to the House Floor the following bills]:

The Common Sense Legal Reforms Act:
“Loser pays” laws, reasonable limits on punitive damages, and reform of product liability laws to stem the endless tide of litigation.

The Citizen Legislature Act:A first-ever vote on term limits to replace career politicians with citizen legislators.

Government is too big, too intrusive, too easy with money.

This year’s election offers the chance, after four decades of one-party control, to bring to the House a new majority that will transform the way Congress works. That historic change would be the end of government that is too big, too intrusive, and too easy with the public’s money. It can be the beginning of a Congress that respects the values and shares the faith of the American family.

Like Lincoln, our first Republican president, we intend to act “with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right.” To restore accountability to Congress. To end its cycle of scandal and disgrace. To make us all proud again of the way free people govern themselves.

On the first day of the 104th Congress, the new Republican majority will immediately pass the following major reforms, aimed at restoring the faith and trust of the American people in their government:
1. Require all laws that apply to the rest of the country also apply equally to the Congress;
2. Select a major independent auditing firm to conduct a comprehensive audit of Congress for waste, fraud, and abuse;
3. Cut the number of House committees, and cut committee staff by one-third;
4. Limit the terms of all committee chairs;
5. Ban the casting of proxy votes in committee;
6. Require committee meetings to be open to the public;
7. Require a three-fifths majority vote to pass a tax increase
8. Guarantee an honest accounting of our federal budget by implementing zero baseline budgeting.