Rep. Weiner Gone Wild On House Floor
Much of the debate on the floor of the House of Representatives is about as lively and entertaining as watching paint dry, but the blistering rant by Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-NY, on Thursday night was one of the most animated diatribes seen and heard on Capitol Hill in recent years.
As the clock ticked towards 9pm, Weiner launched into a furious spiel directed at Republicans who moments earlier had shot down a bill that would have provided health care benefits for first responders and workers at Ground Zero following the 9-11 terrorist attacks.
“Great courage to wait until all members have already spoken and then stand up and wrap your arms around procedure,” Weiner said sarcastically, mocking GOP lawmakers before he let loose on them. “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.’ And then we stand up and say, ‘If only we had a different process, we’d vote yes.’”
“You vote yes if you believe yes!” Weiner roared. “You vote in favor of something if you believe it's the right thing! If you believe it's the wrong thing, you vote no!”
The congressman was then interrupted by Rep. Peter King, a Republican from New York, drawing a swift and scathing rebuke from Weiner.
“I will not yield to the gentleman and the gentleman will observe regular order,” he screamed at King. “The gentleman will observe regular order!”
“The gentleman thinks if he gets up and yells he’s going to intimidate people into believing he’s right,” Weiner yelled. “He is wrong. The gentleman is wrong! The gentleman is providing cover for his colleagues rather than doing the right thing.”
“It's Republicans wrapping their arms around Republicans rather than doing the right thing on behalf of the heroes. 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 if only it was a different procedure…”
Weiner was then interrupted a second time by King.
“The gentleman will observe regular order and sit down,” demanded Weiner, pointing and gesturing at King. “I will not – the gentleman will sit! The gentleman is correct in sitting.”
“I will not, I will not stand here and listen to my colleagues and say, ‘If only I had a different procedure that allows us to stall, stall, and then vote no.’ Instead of standing up and defending your colleagues and voting no on this humane bill, you should urge them to vote yes, something the gentleman has not done,” Weiner concluded, pounding on the podium as he wrapped up his outraged rant.
And with that, Democrats in the chamber delivered a round of applause for their fired-up colleague.
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