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. For 9/11 rescue workers and New Yorkers sick from toxic dust and debris at ground zero, the Democratic bill calls for billions of dollars in medical aid. Weiner, along with his Democratic cohorts, accused Republicans of cowardice, among other things. Republicans accused Democrats of more large government investing.
9/11 health care bill facts
A majority of lawmakers within the chamber supported the 9/11 health care bill. But the New York Times reports that the 255-to-159 vote fell short of the two-thirds margin needed. To bring the measure to the floor, a special rule required that a two-thirds bulk was needed. To watch and treat traumas stemming from exposure to dangerous dust and debris at ground zero, the 9/11 health care bill would have provided $3.2 billion over the next 8-years. The bill also would have set aside $4.2 billion to reopen the Sept. 11 Victim Compensation Fund to provide payment for any job and economic losses.
Two-thirds majority ploy backfires on Democrats
Anthony Weiner went into a rage on the House floor right after 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 bulk rule a Democratic scheme 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. No such tinkering is allowed under the two-thirds rule.
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 New York Republican Peter King said Democrats were staging a charade by holding the vote because they were afraid to vote on controversial amendments. That led to Weiner’s one-and-a-half minute tirade. He hollered that Republicans were being cowardly by opposing the bill based on 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 do not give me the cowardly view that ‘Oh if it was a different procedure’…”.
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