Anthony Weiner, Democratic congressman from New York, drew focus to himself for going ballistic in the House of Representatives July 29th. Weiner vented his anger at Republicans who blocked the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. For 9/11 rescue workers and New Yorkers ill from toxic dust and debris at ground zero, the Democratic bill calls for billions of dollars in health care aid. Weiner and his Democratic colleagues accused Republicans of cowardice. More big government investing was the predictable Republican response.
Details of the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act
A majority of lawmakers in the chamber supported the 9/11 health care bill. But the New York Times reports how the 255-to-159 vote fell short of the two-thirds margin needed. A two-thirds margin was needed under special rules which were used to bring the measure to the floor. The 9/11 health care bill would have provided $3.2 billion over the next eight years to monitor and treat traumas stemming from exposure to toxic dust and debris at ground zero. Another $4.2 billion would be set aside by the bill to compensate for economic losses.
Democrats maneuver for two-thirds majority
Anthony Weiner went into a rage on the House floor once it became clear that Republicans had enough votes to defeat the 9/11 health care bill. The New York Daily news called the two-thirds majority rule a Democratic program to speed up the vote. A simple majority vote, Democrats feared, would allow Republicans to attach amendments intended to embarrass them with elections coming this fall. Fiddling with amendments is not allowed with a two-thirds majority vote.
Procedure used by Republicans as reason to oppose the bill
When he heard Republicans using the use of the two-thirds majority rule as their reason for voting no on the 9/11 health care bill, Weiner exploded at the lecture . CBS News reports that Peter King, Republican congressman from New York, called democrats afraid for not voting on their amendments, and said by holding the vote they were staging a charade. Comments like those provoked Weiner into an eruption that lasted 90 seconds. He shouted at Republicans, calling them cowards for voting no because they didn’t like the procedure:
“It’s Republicans wrapping their arms around Republicans instead of doing the right thing on behalf of the heroes,” Weiner yelled. “It is a shame. A shame! If you believe this is a bad idea to provide health care – then vote no! But don’t give me the cowardly view that ‘Oh if it was a different procedure’…”.
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