Anthony Weiner's 'unhinged' House rant

last updated 8 January 2015

It seems fair to say that Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) was disappointed by Republican opposition to the 9/11 health bill. The measure would direct $7.4 billion in healthcare benefits to first-reponders sickened by toxic dust after the collapse of the World Trade Center, but Republicans argued that it was effectively a "massive new entitlement program" for New York City and voted it down. Weiner, whose New York constituents would have benefited from the bill, took to the floor to launch an "unhinged" attack on Republicans for orchestrating opposition to it. "It's Republicans wrapping their arms around Republicans rather than doing the right thing on behalf of the heroes!" he yelled. This is "pretty classic stuff," says David Kurtz at Talking Points Memo. Say what you like about Weiner, but "when he's outraged by something, he actually gets outraged" — and unlike some in the Democratic Party, he is willing to fight for what he believes in. But Weiner's "high octane rant" will do little to help his party's cause, says Greg Sargent at The Washington Post. "Republicans want Dems to respond this way," because it makes them look "whiny, weak and impotent." Watch the video here: