Anthony Weiner made headlines July 29th when the Democratic Congressman from New York abandoned composure in a speech on the house floor. Weiner was angered at Republicans who mustered to defeat the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. The 9/11 health care bill is a Democratic plan to offer billions of dollars for health care to 9/11 rescue workers and New York residents sickened from the toxic dust and debris at ground zero. Republicans were accused of cowardice and more by Weiner and his Democratic allies. More large government spending was the predictable Republican response.
9/11 Health and Compensation Act particulars
The 9/11 health care bill had support from a majority of the lawmakers in the chamber. But the New York Times reports how the vote fell short of the two-thirds bulk needed, 255-159. Under special rules used to bring the measure to the floor a two-thirds majority was needed. To keep track of and treat traumas stemming from exposure to poisonous dust and debris at ground zero, the 9/11 health care bill would have provided $3.2 billion over the next 8-years. To compensate for job and economic losses, another $4.2 billion was set aside in the bill.
Democrats play games with two-thirds majority
Anthony Weiner vented his rage in a speech on the house floor after it became obvious that Republicans had enough votes to defeat the 9/11 health care bill. The New York Daily News reports the two-thirds bulk rule was a Democratic ploy to speed up the vote. Looking ahead to the November elections, Democrats feared Republicans trying to embarrass Democrats would attach toxic changes in a simple majority vote. The two-thirds majority rule doesn’t allow fiddling with amendments.
Republicans say procedure gave them no choice but to vote “no”
Weiner exploded at the lecture when he got word that Republicans blamed procedure for their no vote. CBS News reports that Republican congressman Peter King of New York accused Democrats, too afraid to vote on controversial amendments, of staging a charade by holding the vote. Comments like those provoked Weiner into an eruption that lasted 90 seconds. He shouted at Republicans, calling them cowards for voting no because they did not like the procedure:
“It’s Republicans wrapping their arms around Republicans rather than doing the right thing on behalf of the heroes,” Weiner yelled. “It is a shame. A shame! If you believe this can be 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’…”.
Additional reading
nytimes.com /
nydailynews.com
cbsnews.com
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