Clinton vs. Gingrich (Essay Sample)

Clinton vs. Gingrich
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Clinton vs. Gingrich
Both Bill Clinton and Newton Gingrich made substantial impacts on both political and economic fronts in the 1990s. Gingrich led the Republican Party while serving as the House minority. Together with Richard Armey, he created the "contract with America" Document that was influential in the party’s triumph in the congressional elections of 1994 (Kellman, 2011). Serving, from 1995 to 1999, as the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Gingrich and Clinton influenced many political, socioeconomic, and economic legislations. These include reforms in the welfare system with legislations such as the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act, changes in the Federal Budget balancing, and the Taking Back Our Streets Act, among others. In 1995, a temporary Federal government shutdown occurred as a result of the conflicting views on government spending (Kushner & Hirsh, 2013). While Gingrich and GOP intended for decreased government spending, Clinton needed significant government spending on Public health, the environment, and Medicare.
The proposal by GOP in this regard would have seen an increase in the premiums paid for Medicare Part B and override an earlier scheduled reduction. Clinton took the United States through a period of economic boom largely attributed to effective economic policies and reforms (Kellman, 2011). Clinton was open to negotiations with the republicans and did not govern like the typical New Deal Democrat and even held private meetings with Gingrich to discuss and attempt to reach consensus on matters such as Medicare and Balanced budget (Kushner & Hirsh, 2013). Clinton and Gingrich both took great risks in creating significant legislations but ultimately they positive economic...