Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has called on Republicans to hold their ground in the ongoing budget negotiations with Democrats, arguing that the American public desires a shift away from traditional Washington politics. He criticized the proposed 1500-page spending bill as a "joke" and a departure from the promises made during the election campaign.

Speaking on "The Faulkner Focus," Gingrich characterized the bill, designed to avert a government shutdown, not as a continuing resolution but as a new omnibus spending bill laden with unnecessary additions. He believes this contradicts the change voters sought when they elected President Trump, who, in Gingrich's view, has resisted reverting to established political practices. Gingrich framed the current situation as the first real test of the "Make America Great Again" agenda.

The spending bill, introduced by Congressional leaders, has been met with strong opposition from President Trump, as well as influential figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who advocated for a more concise version. A subsequent Trump-backed spending bill also failed to pass the House. With the shutdown deadline looming, Gingrich suggested that a temporary shutdown might be preferable, allowing Trump to demonstrate his commitment to fiscal responsibility and avoid expanding the federal government.

Gingrich criticized Congress for its tendency towards excessive spending and argued that the current conflict stems from a clash between this established practice and the change desired by the electorate. He encouraged Republicans to advocate for significant change, predicting that while Washington insiders might react negatively, the rest of the country would welcome a majority committed to reform.

Recent reports indicate that House Republicans have tentatively reached an agreement to avoid a shutdown, involving a short-term extension of current funding levels, disaster relief, and agricultural support, divided into three separate bills. This agreement also includes addressing the debt limit next year as part of a broader conservative policy overhaul.