Anthony Weiner made headlines July 29th when the Democratic Congressman from New York abandoned composure in a speech on the house floor. When Republicans blocked passage of the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, he lost his cool. 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. Republicans were accused of cowardice and more by Weiner and his Democratic allies. The Republicans responded with charges of more wasteful government investing.
9/11 Health and Compensation Act particulars
The 9/11 health care bill got a bulk of votes, but didn’t pass. But the New York Times reports that 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. The 9/11 health care bill would have provided $3.2 billion over the next eight years to monitor and take care of injuries stemming from exposure to toxic dust and debris at ground zero. To compensate for job and economic losses, one more $4.2 billion was set aside in the bill.
Two-thirds majority required by Democrats
Anthony Weiner vented his frustration 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 that Democrats used rules requiring a two-thirds majority to speed up the vote. Democrats, with their eyes on the November elections, feared Republicans would embarrass Democrats by affixing toxic amendments in a simple majority vote. The two-thirds majority rule won’t allow fiddling with amendments.
Republicans use procedure as an excuse to vote “no”
When he heard Republicans using the use of the two-thirds majority rule as their explanation 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 hollered that Republicans were being cowardly by opposing the bill based 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 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
