(CNSNews.com) - Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R.-Ga.) says the $825-billion stimulus bill being pushed by congressional Democrats is a "big government, big bureaucracy, big politician package" that is not worthy of the support of congressional Republicans. 

The $825 billion stimulus package unveiled by House Democratic leaders earlier this month may not work and should not be supported by Republicans the former Speaker told CNSNews.com on Monday at the National Press Club.
 
There is no consensus on exactly what the problem is and so any stimulus would be the equivalent of pouring water into a bucket with a hole in it, Gingrich’s spokesman later told CNSNews.com. 
 
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kent.), who has also criticized the House version of the stimulus package, said in a speech last Friday at the National Press Club that the economy requires a stimulus. McConnell further said he hopes Republican members of Congress will get behind a package and pass it by mid-February.
 
“You know, there’s widespread consensus here,” said McConnell. “We’ve had a number of conservative economists in front of our group and everybody believes that government action is necessary. And this is coming out of the mouth of somebody who doesn’t normally advocate government action as a first resort here.”
 
“Hope it’ll be a package most of my members can support but I can’t predict
that in advance,” said McConnell. “But I believe in terms of when -- that it will be done before the anticipated week off in February.”
 
But Gingrich said, “no,” when CNSNews.com asked him if he agreed with McConnell that Republicans should in general support a spending-stimulus package. “I think the stimulus package, as it is currently designed, is not a stimulus package,” he said. “It’s a big government, big bureaucracy, big politician package.”
 
“Look where the money is going,” said Gingrich. “This is entirely a politician’s wish list.”