Neumann, Gingrich end their dispute

Journal Washington bureau

Washington, D.C. The tiff between freshman Rep. Mark Neumann (R-Wis.) and House Speaker Newt Gingrich apparently is over, with Neumann retaining his seat on the House Appropriations Committee.

Gingrich had threatened to throw Neumann off the committee for opposing a $3.2 billion military spending bill that would add $644 million to the deficit. Gingrich, who pushed to get some freshman members placed on major committees such as appropriations, said he expected loyalty from those legislators.

Neumann said voting for legislation that would increase the deficit would violate a campaign promise. The committee ended up approving the measure by voice vote, so Neumann was spared having to oppose Gingrich in committee. In the full House, Neumann and 20 other Republicans voted against the bill.

"Clearly, everything is fine," Neumann said Tuesday. He said he had met with Gingrich since the flap became public and that there were no lasting problems.

He said the response from constituents was mostly positive. "They were glad I did what they sent me here to do," he said.

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