Is the heavy argument about whether the $300,000 was a fine or a penalty?
It appears to be, although it could also be whether the money was charged by the committee, or by the House, and whether it was itself a “punishment”, or a “repayment”.
Officially, it was a “repayment” ordered by the House from Gingrich to the committee, to reimburse the committee for work it had to do because of Gingrich’s misleading inputs to the committee.
It was part of the settlement that Gingrich agreed to, and which the House passed in it’s resolution against Gingrich, so it was associated with the punishment. It is a distinction that would seem to be without a difference.
For comparison, suppose someone sued you, and you fought the lawsuit, and you lost, and in addition to whatever penalty is assessed, you are also ordered to pay the person’s attorney fees. Would you argue that the fees were not part of the payment? Well, you might if you were trying to dismiss the severity. But if you were filing a claim with your persnal liability insurance, I am sure you’d include it as part of the fine you were assessed.