Myth: The 1996 Federal shutdown was a disaster for the GOP. Here is the truth and the myth is an outrageious lie.

I will make this short and sweet.  In 1994,  the GOP shocked the nation by winning control of both houses of Congress  . . . . .  first time 40 years and no one saw it coming. 

Newt’s House shutdown the government for a brief period in early 1996.  The midterm elections were held that November (1996).

That unmitigated disaster the Left keeps talking about?  Well,  Newt’s House lost 3 seats and remained (very much) in control of that legislative body, falling from control of 230 seats to 227 after the '96 elections;  the Senate actually picked up 3 seats to increase its majority from 52 seats to 55.  

In other words,  GOP paid no price whatsoever and instead,  put itself in position to force a balanced budget for the next four years.