Rep. Weiner tears Republicans apart: 9/11 health bill edition

Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) is easily my favorite sitting congressman as of this date, and seeing his previous excoriations of Republican obstructionism and dishonesty makes it rather clear why he’s easily earned my respect. This time, he went absolutely ballistic as Republicans brought up the deficit as an excuse not to support the 9/11 health bill, which would have provided long-term healthcare programs for first responders and others who suffer health problems as a result of their helping others during and after the September 11, 2001 attacks. (Because, obviously, filibustering a bill that would’ve added a mere $7.4 billion to a national debt exceeding $13 trillion (ie. a mere 1.76% of total) in order to provide help to the rescue workers of 9/11 is totally the right thing to do.) And so, he rightfully tore them a new one like they wouldn’t believe, right there on the house floor.

As distressing as the fact that he was pushed this far may be, it’s still beautiful to witness, in a schadenfreudelicious manner. This is probably the closest any of those shamelessly dishonest naysayers have ever been told to “STFU & GTFO” on the House floor. The man must have a double garage to accommodate the SUVs required to carry around his colossal brass balls.

Too bad the bill failed to pass the House in the end, though. You know, I really try not to blanket-hate entire political or ideological groups, but Republicans really seem to do everything in their power to make me loathe them. When they get to the point where they’re actually blocking a bill to provide health services to the heroes of 9/11 over petty and mindless squabbles over pricing, you know they’ve totally lost their hearts and minds somewhere down the road.

(via @todayspolitics)

Tags: Anthony Weiner • 9-11 health bill • healthcare • Republicans • GOP • dishonesty • deficit