Anthony Weiner Erupts at Republicans for Rejecting 9/11 Responders Health Bill

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: Domestic Issues ,; Congress

Most House Republicans on Thursday voted against a bill to provide $7.4 billion in aid to 9/11 first responders who became sick after the attacks. They complained that Democrats opted to bypass voting on amendments, opting instead for a process that sped up the vote but required a two-thirds majority.

Democratic Rep. Anthony Weiner blew a fuse on the House floor when he heard his GOP colleagues complaining about procedure yesterday. In a dramatic one-and-a-half minute speech, Weiner hollered that Republicans were being cowardly by opposing the bill based on procedure.

The measure failed to get the two-thirds needed to pass: The vote was 255 to 159, and came down largely along party lines.

"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'..."

Before Weiner made his remarks on the floor, Republican Rep. Peter King of New York accused Democrats of being too afraid to vote on controversial amendments and instead staging a "charade" by holding the vote.

Weiner contended that Republicans were the ones staging a charade by stalling votes under the false pretense that they could possibly support a bill if it were further amended.

"We see it in the United States Senate every single day, where members say, 'We want amendments, we want debate, we want amendments -- but we're still a No,'" Weiner yelled. "You vote yes if you believe yes... if you believe it's the right thing. If you believe it's the wrong thing, you vote no."

More on the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act:

9/11 Health Bill Spurs Partisan Finger-Pointing
In 9/11's Wake, Anguish and Anger
Tale Of The 'Walking Dead'

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by fdnyson August 23, 2010 12:35 PM EDT: My father was once a New York City fireman that spent a great deal of time at ?the pile,? and since suffered a heart attack, been kicked off of ?the job? due to his heart problems, been diagnosed with a severe case of Gerd which was well on its way to becoming Barrett?s Esophagus Disease, and suffered his final heart attack which took his life in late March. When my father was diagnosed with Gerd he did something very uncharacteristic a week before he died; he sat me down and discussed the condition that he had. He told me that the doctors had told him he could have some form of cancer anywhere from three months from his last visit to three years from that visit, and conservativly gave himself three years to live. Let me detach myself from this situation, a 46 year old man that had suffered a heart attack at the age of 37 and had a stent put in looked his 18 year old son in the eye and told him that he would not have a father in 4 years time. As a Christian I do believe that this happened for a reason, a reason which at the moment I do not fully understand. The ailing 9/11 first responders seem to be a hot potato. The city government seems to feel that these men deserve nothing from the city because they worked in a war zone and it should be the federal government's duty, but the feds want nothing to do with it either. I understand that financial aid will not bring back my father but it may save someone else?s.; Reply to this comment


by haimerej August 5, 2010 12:10 PM EDT: The simple fact is that the Democrats wanted to avoid the amendment process, which makes no sense to me.

Amendments are attached or voted down based on simple majority, something they already had in support of the bill. HuffPo says they were scared that the Repubs would attach a partisan amendment. Why? They could simply vote it down! Amendments don't get attached by simply being introduced. They are voted on. Let them introduce the amendments and then vote them down. Had they went through that process, the vote they took on the bill would have made it law today.

It was the Democrats who insisted it be passed on a 2/3 majority and I have a hard time believing they thought they could get that.; Reply to this comment


by RobAla August 5, 2010 12:10 PM EDT: An erupting Weiner... sounds bad.; Reply to this comment


by actornaught July 31, 2010 11:01 PM EDT: Newsfllash: Republicans accuse democrats of playing politics, and vote against highly popular medical coverage for 9/11 Heroes, and don't flinch at their gut wrenchingly ugly hypocrisy.

See "Dems Polling Ahead of Pubs"...; Reply to this comment

by designerrant July 31, 2010 3:08 PM EDT

First of all, what were the amendments that the Dems didn't want to vote on? Maybe there is something more there. Secondly, we all have Obama care, we don't need to give anyone more healthcare. I believe they put in long term care for the whole country, even some illegals, so all the first responders will be taken care of.

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by designerrant August 1, 2010 4:45 PM EDT: Hey, democracy5, it is not a lame political comment. Fact: we have socialized healthcare - we all are going to be taken care of. Fact: Democrats have been adding who knows what to all bills. It is good to look at amendments and not just vote blindly. First responders were heroes on 9-11. However, what the 9-11 heroes have gone through is not the issue here. I want Congress to read the bills, and the amendments, and not vote emotionally and blindly like you seem to want them to.

by shadowofself July 30, 2010 10:53 PM EDT

Wonder if he is up for reelection or just an *******?

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by democracy5 July 31, 2010 6:42 AM EDT: Wonder if you have any conscience about how the 9-11 first responder heroes are getting shafted? BTW, nice language.


by jgg000101 July 31, 2010 1:37 PM EDT: actually he wants to run for governor of ny and this is a great opportunity and issue for political theatre. It's a stunt, and he's really a weiner.

by KI001 July 30, 2010 8:46 PM EDT

Anthony Weiner for president period. His passion is what this country needs right now to get things done. Bravo!

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by tmn July 31, 2010 4:52 AM EDT: AMEN!!


by mick7364 July 30, 2010 4:32 PM EDT: Anyone count the Dem's that voted no?; Reply to this comment

by Brokennews July 30, 2010 4:14 PM EDT

Behold!

A Weiner standing tall!

Republicans get a rise out of Weiner!

An excited Weiner explodes!

Feel Free to add on!!

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by Brokennews July 30, 2010 4:22 PM EDT: USA_is_back

Good one!!


by Brokennews July 30, 2010 4:24 PM EDT: I was going to add "Weiner Erupts at Republicans" but that's already in the headline!

by ajvw July 30, 2010 3:38 PM EDT

amazing how stupid this guy thinks we are. the dumocrats have a solid majority in the house and the senate. they don't need the republicans for anything, except to blame when to many of their own don't vote the party line.

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by democracy5 July 30, 2010 4:02 PM EDT: But the Republicans ALWAYS toe the party line, even if their position is wrong for the country. They put party over country, which is the point that this decent man was making. You don't play politics with the lives of the first responders from 9-11. Shame on you!


by AndTheTruthWillSetYouFree July 30, 2010 5:17 PM EDT: It is amazing how stupid you are if you dont understand how the house and the senate work. You have to have a majority vote of 60%.