Harry Reid: Ask Newt Gingrich about government shutdown – Burgess Everett – POLITICO.com

If Republicans want an idea of what it’s like to be blamed for a government shutdown, they should check in with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

In his remarks opening the Senate for the last week of congressional action before the August recess, Reid warned against Republican efforts to oppose spending bills that contain funding for Obamacare. He said for evidence of the consequences of such brinksmanship, they should dial up Gingrich, who served as House speaker during a government shutdown in 1995.

“If Republicans force us to the brink of another government shutdown for ideological reasons, the economy will suffer. I would suggest to any of my Republican colleagues that has this idea: Give a call to Newt Gingrich,” Reid said. “He’ll return your phone calls. Ask him how it worked. It was disastrous for Newt Gingrich, the Republicans and the country.”

via Harry Reid: Ask Newt Gingrich about government shutdown – Burgess Everett – POLITICO.com.