The 9/11 health care bill vote infuriates Anthony Weiner

Anthony Weiner shook up Congress on July 29 when the Democratic congressman from New York blew his top in a speech within the chamber. Weiner vented his anger at Republicans who blocked the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. The 9/11 health care bill is a Democratic plan to give 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. Republicans were accused of cowardice and more by Weiner and his Democratic allies. More big government investing was the predictable Republican response.

Details of the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act

A majority of lawmakers in 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. Under special rules used to bring the measure to the floor a two-thirds bulk was needed. The 9/11 health care bill would have provided $3.2 billion over the next eight years to monitor and treat traumas stemming from exposure to toxic dust and debris at ground zero. To compensate for job and economic losses, an additional $4.2 billion was set aside in the bill.

Democrats maneuver for two-thirds majority

After it was apparent that Republicans had enough votes to wipe out the 9/11 health care bill, Anthony Weiner erupted in a speech on the house floor. The New York Daily News reports the two-thirds majority rule was a Democratic ploy 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. No such tinkering is allowed under the two-thirds rule.

Republicans blame no vote on majority rule

When he heard Republicans using the use of the two-thirds majority rule as their reason for voting no on the 9/11 health care bill, Weiner exploded at the lecture . 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. Republicans listened to him call them cowards for opposing the bill merely because of 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’…”.

Additional reading

nytimes.com /

nydailynews.com

cbsnews.com