Anthony Weiner shook up Congress on July 29 when the Democratic congressman from New York blew his top in a speech in the chamber. Weiner was furious at Republicans who mustered to defeat the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. The Democratic plan calls for billions in medical aid for 9/11 rescue workers and New Yorkers ill from toxic dust and debris at ground zero. Weiner, along with his Democratic cohorts, accused Republicans of cowardice, among other things. The Republicans responded with charges of more wasteful government investing.
The 9/11 Health and Compensation Act
A bulk 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. Under special rules used to bring the measure to the floor a two-thirds majority was needed. Funding of $3.2 billion for the next 8-years would have been provided by the 9/11 health care bill to provide medical care for injuries and illness linked to toxic dirt and debris at ground zero. An additional $4.2 billion would be set aside by the bill to compensate for economic losses.
Two-thirds majority ploy backfires on Democrats
Anthony Weiner vented his rage in a talk on the house floor after it became apparent that Republicans had enough votes to defeat the 9/11 health care bill. The New York Daily News reports how the two-thirds bulk rule was a Democratic ploy to speed up the vote. A simple majority vote, Democrats feared, would allow Republicans to attach amendments designed to embarrass them with elections coming this fall. Fiddling with amendments isn’t allowed with a two-thirds majority vote.
Republicans blame no vote on majority rule
Weiner erupted when he heard Republicans using the use of the two-thirds majority rule as an excuse to vote no on the 9/11 health care bill. 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 hollered that Republicans were being cowardly by opposing the bill depending on 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 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’…”.
Further reading
nytimes.com /
nydailynews.com
cbsnews.com
