Rep. Weiner voiced his anger in a speech on the House floor. Public Domain
Last night partisan tensions between Republicans and Democrats came to a boiling point as Representative Weiner (D-NY) addressed opponents in a speech on the House floor. The issue was a $7.4 billion dollar bill to provide aid to rescue workers who were sickened by toxins after the 9/11 attacks. The bill has widespread support since without it the heroes of 9/11 would be left to struggle with the court system in coming years to get the care they need.
Despite the popularity of the measure, Republicans managed to keep it from passing. Republicans did not have a problem with the actual bill, but instead voted against it because they complained that Democrats were not allowing amendments to the bill. Democrats were worried that Republicans would attach a "poison pill" amendment, a practice which has become a common tactic of Republicans over the last year. In theory, the Republicans could attach an amendment to the bill which would force Democrats to vote against the very popular bill they created.
To avoid this scenario, the Democrats attempted to pass the bill under a procedure which allows no amendments. However, under this procedure the bill needs a two-thirds majority to pass. Democrats assumed Republicans would not dare vote against aid to 9/11 relief workers and that they could therefore get the two-thirds majorities they needed. Democrats were wrong in their prediction and Representative Weiner was not at all happy about it.
Rep. Weiner took to the House floor to condemn Republicans for voting against the measure because of procedure. He noted that Republicans were granted many amendments on the health care bill, only to eventually vote against the bill. When Rep. King (R-NY) tried to interrupt him, Rep. Weiner demanded that Rep. King sit down under the rules of the House. The speech truly was one of the most intense in recent history and brought back memories of the intense debate over health care reform.
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Comments
This guy is tough! He knows how to deal with these unAmerican politicians. You will never see him on O'reilly's show again after he tore Bill to shreds over the goldline scam.
republicans played this one badly.
Weener's name is an appropriate one.
Weiner Whiner says:
"Weener's name is an appropriate one."
yeah, it is appropriate to what he does to republicans.
Weiner Whiner, I bet that's the first time in his life someone has made that joke. You are clever to the extreme!
I am absolutely ASHAMED to be a former republican. Why do they Hate the American People so much? It started with Katrina and they were in Power. Then I thought it might be a race issue? Now I believe it was. We have a President who happens to be both White and Black and he is treated like some sort of foreigner.They seem to block everything that helps the American People and Now Pete King makes a fool of himself. I am sure some of the Workers at WTC came from Long Island? The Party is willing to hurt the American People just to hurt Obama. Republican slogan should be The Party First! and the Hell with everything else!
Tom, excellent post! Thank you.
Go Rep. Weiner! We should ALL be this angry over Republicans playing politics with the health of 9/11 rescue workers.
Looks like Weiner has balls... sorry
Ashamed to be a former Republican? The party doesn't need people like you. Stick with the likes Charlie Rengal, Pelosi, and President Obama. November 2nd can't come soon enough.
Point of fact: The Republicans can't block anything in the house as they are in the minority by a good margin. The fact is that there were enough Democrats that voted against it that it failed.
Randall says:
"Point of fact: The Republicans can't block anything in the house as they are in the minority by a good margin. The fact is that there were enough Democrats that voted against it that it failed. "
nice twisting of words...how about we clear it up, ok?
HOW MANY REPUBLICANS VOTED FOR AID TO 9/11 RESCUE WORKERS????
GIVE ME A NUMBER. HOW MANY? Don't weasel out, give me a number for republicans that voted pro-9/11-rescue-workers...I'm willing to bet you won't give us that number because it would embarrass you...one more chance, how many republicans voted for aid to the 9/11 rescue workers??? surviving 9/11 rescue workers and the families of 9/11 rescue workers would really want to know that number.
Ayes: 255 (Democrat: 243; Republican: 12)
Nays: 159 (Democrat: 4; Republican: 155)
Abstained: 18 (Democrat: 7; Republican: 11)
Required percentage of 'Aye' votes: 2/3 (66%)
Percentage of 'aye' votes: 59%
Result: Failed
I can't include the link to Open Congress dot Org - but that is the source of the information. The official House site is kind of swamped right now.
The Democrats wanted to play hardball and lost. Don't play by the rules, don't expect to win. They failed, not the Republicans. Weiner shouting like a 3 year-old having a tantrum at K-Mart did nothing but add more divisiveness. Come November we'll remember.
the 9/11 folks will be remembering come November too, rinton.
This one was a major FAIL for the Republican'ts.
Yes, another manufactured issue by the democrats to help their sliding poll numbers. We can see that there is nothing to low for scumbag liberals who are desperate to cling to their power. The only thing people with power fear is losing that power and we'll get to see more such acts in the 90 days or so left to the November election.
MickNY, rinton, Randall and Mike Very good posts!
The sad fact is that the Democrats are Politicizing 911 for their sagging popularity. They demonize, or try to, every opposing view, pretending to be the party of the the little guy. While their Billionaire/ millionaire Leaders like Kerry, Soros, Pelosi, Feinstein et al push legislation that takes the Average Americans rights and diminishes their ability to economically survive and thrive.
Malcolm...Great data...presented without political polarization....McDuff would be proud.
Tom Moulton....Sure yah are a "former" republican. I think you're a phoney. If I'm wrong...then you are a RINO and are better off exposed as supporting anti-American causes.
Don't let the door hit yah on the way out.
jaime says:
"MickNY, rinton, Randall and Mike Very good posts!
The sad fact is that the Democrats are Politicizing 911 for their sagging popularity..."
ok, let's play your game...suppose they did...republicans bit hook, line and sinker and it was damn well played...I guess you are saying that republicans didn't know that they were supposed to vote FOR 9/11 rescue workers?...wow, they really missed the boat on that one..."FOR 9/11 rescue workers? Damn I got that one wrong too...I always mix up heroes and bankers, which ones are the good guys again? Thanks, I won't make that mistake again. Heroes good, bankers bad. Heroes good, bankers bad...ok, I got it...can we do a do-over on the vote so I don't look like an anti-hero putz?"
Both parties have been using super majority requirements to play politics, although that shoe is currently on the feet of the receding and disorganized Republican Party.
While I understand Weiner's anger - God knows what unrelated issue the Republicans would try to tack on here to score political points - the bigger problem is the requirement for anything but a majority vote.
Super majority requirements in the House are paralyzing government. They should be eliminated. After that, we can deal with the politicized rules for adding an amendment to any bill.
Both parties have been playing politics with the rules of government and the loser is always the American majority.
No one seems to remember that the "hero" firefighters on "The Pile" from 9/12 until it became a construction site were paid a LOT of overtime. When the City brought in construction people to perform the recovery for more reasonable rates (and to allow the firemen to get back to their real job,) they rioted and had to be put down by "hero" policemen.
Let's not be so quick to attach the word "hero" to everyone and anyone. They were paid well for what they did.
Overtime doesn't cover being poisoned by numerous toxic substances released in the destruction and cleanup. You one of those jerkoffs who also thinks the GIs should just suck it up with their injuries because they all volunteered anyway, Joe?
Many of the cleanup contractors are the union labor crime syndicates who were damn well paid.
Go choke on a donut... says: You one of those jerkoffs who also thinks the GIs should just suck it up with their injuries because they all volunteered anyway, Joe?
WHY THE HELL do your libprogs always make ASSumption like that? It IS STUPID to do so. He did'nt say that so do not put those words in someone elses mouth. Its ignorant and kills ANY credibility you may have.
RESPOND to the what the post says....NOT what you THINK it says.
And..why is the taxpayer funding much of this if it was the obligation of the employers to issue any safety warnings or equipment to their employees? This is taxpayer money and should not be spent with so little information or more details.
below, you see the attitudes of conservatives and liberals towards 9/11 rescue workers...vote accordingly in november.
I really liked that video...Anthony Weiner kicked butt and took names!
America needs more Anthony Weiners and Alan Graysons.
I agree, Anthony Weiner is true patriot.
Trufie AKA O's my man... if someone has so little respect or empathy for the folks who put it on the line trying to rescue and recover 9/11 victims, how is it a reach to question whether that person also things military personnel are, in Rumsfeld's words, "fungible?"
Obviously, said person is a poster child for the "Me First, I got Mine" Generation of conservatives.
sounds like walrus likes wieners.
Trufie lies... says: I was banned from Democratic Underground!
Blarney Buttsister says:
"sounds like walrus likes wieners."
sounds like you're the expert on who likes wieners.
How can anyone blame the Democrats and praise the Republicians for this one? I truly think the majority of the U.S. has lost their minds and will believe anything. Talking about twisting information. Give me a break! We are so lost.....And most of all, God, please help the USA!!!! We desperately need your guidance!
Desperate times for the democrats is starting to take its toll. I guess Weiner throwing a hissy fit more appropriate for a 3 year old will magically make things better where once again his party, the majority, could have passed this bill.
If Whiny Weiner is mad now, imagine what antics we'll be treated to after the thumping dumbocrats get in the fall.
Weiner is an unhinged liar and this tantrum was nothing but a 'dog and pony show' for the cable news outlets.
Democrats have enough votes to pass this bill, they chose to play political games instead.
Pete King voted *YES* on this bill.
Weiner's childish hissy fit was directed at King for not getting enough Republican votes, which is not King's responsibility, especially when Democrats will not remove controversial ammendments to the bill or allow ANY ammendments by Republicans, which is why it required a 2/3 majority.
www.therightscoop.com/sean-hannity-goes-nuclear-and-destroys-anthony-weiner
NOWWWWWWWW I see how he got his name.............
See the absolute moral hypocrisy, playing with such an important issue, the Democrats and Leftists are exhibiting? The Republicans are responsible??? They have NOTHING to do with what does or does not pass the House. Shocking this unhinged socialist isn't even the worst of their lot.
Dont worry Walrus, people are watching who cares about their country, liberty, e pluribus unum and in god we trust, and WILL vote accordingly. The chance many of them took voting for the smooth talker will be corrected.
How can anyone blame the Democrats and praise the Republicians for this one? I truly think the majority of the U.S. has lost their minds and will believe anything. Talking about twisting information. Give me a break! We are so lost.....And most of all, God, please help the USA!!!! We desperately need your guidance!
Weiner and Alan Grayson should win Emmys for hamming it up in front of C-SPAN cameras!
To avoid the scenerio which would allow the actual passage of the bill; democrats used a procedure which would require a 2/3 majority.
In this way, they could ensure the defeat of a bill they didn't care about and still manage to blame republicans.
Clever.
correction, grace-warrior gigi (robin): to avoid a situation that would have allowed Republican'ts (thank you, whoever came up with that!) to tie up the bill in endless poison pill amendments, the democrats adopted the "you can't screw with this" procedure requiring 2/3 majority... thereby exposing the Republican'ts as political gamers who care nothing about victims of the 9/11 cleanup and recovery.
Mocking Monkey,
We've all watch the dems in action when they want to pass a bill. They work it, they compromise, they bribe, they twist arms, they don't call for a vote til they know they have enough votes to win!
They knew they wouldn't have the votes and they didn't care.
I know you libs are falling for their bull, but you really have no excuse.
Democrats hold the majority in Congress and own the White House, the burden is upon them to lead, to govern. We can see that they are more interested trying fabricate election cycle issues to promote their plans for reelection in the face of growing voter discontent and anger at government.
Passion in your convictions should be praised and admired. The republicans don't care about the 1st responders that have died already and they don't care about the hundreds that are sick now. The HEROES should be honored and I thank Mr. Weiner for his fire in the belly attitude. He is doing this for us and for them.
Dems recognize that heroes in the 9-11 tragedy need healthcare now. So rather than go for the simple majority vote, and allow the bill to get tied up in litigation over amendments for a year, they opted for the 2/3 vote to pass it immediately. Obviously it was the wrong decision in hindsight, but Republicans are unbelievable. They can't put partisan politics aside for this one issue, and do the right thing and help the heroes that put their lives on the line to save others.
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