Anthony Weiner made headlines July 29th when the Democratic Congressman from New York abandoned composure in a speech on the house floor. Weiner was enraged at Republicans who mustered to defeat the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. The 9/11 health care bill is a Democratic plan to supply billions of dollars for health care to 9/11 rescue workers and New York residents sickened from the toxic dust and particles at ground zero. Weiner and his Democratic acquaintances accused Republicans of cowardice. Republicans accused Democrats of more big government investing.
Information of 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 the vote fell short of the two-thirds majority needed, 255-159. To bring the measure to the floor, a special rule required that a two-thirds majority was needed. Funding of $3.2 billion for the next 8-years would are provided by the 9/11 health care bill to provide medical care for injuries and illness linked to dangerous dust and debris at ground zero. 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.
Democrats insist on 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 reports how the two-thirds majority 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 really allowed with a two-thirds majority vote.
Procedure used by Republicans as reason to oppose the bill
Weiner exploded at the lecture when he got word that Republicans blamed procedure for their no vote. 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. Comments like those provoked Weiner into an eruption that lasted 90 seconds. Republicans listened to him call them cowards for opposing the bill merely because of 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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