Weiner Offends The GOP On House Floor: You’re All ‘Owned’ By The ‘Insurance Industry’!

[cal04]

http://thinkprogress.org/2010/02/24/anthony-weiner-subsidiary/
Weiner Offends The GOP On House Floor: You’re All ‘Owned’ By The ‘Insurance Industry’!

Today, the House of Representatives debated the Health Insurance Industry Fair Competition Act, legislation that would repeal the 65 year exemption health insurance companies have from anti-trust regulations.

Speaking on the House floor this afternoon, Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) lambasted Republicans for being “a wholly owned subsidiary of an insurance industry,” prompting an offended Rep. Dan Lungren (R-CA) to lodge a complaint:

WEINER: You guys have chutzpah. The Republican Party is the wholly owned subsidiary of the insurance industry. They say this isn’t going to do enough, but when we propose an alternative to provide competition, they’re against it. They say we want to strengthen state insurance commissioners and they’ll do the job. But when we did that in our national health care bill, they said we’re against it. They said we want to have competition but when we proposed requiring competition they’re against it. They’re a wholly owned subsidiary of the insurance industry. That’s the fact!

LUNDREN: Mr. Speaker I ask that the gentleman’s words be taken down.

WEINER: You really don’t want to go there, Mr. Lundren.

A minute later, Weiner returned to the floor and withdrew his words, and then substituted them by clarifying, “Make no mistake about it, every single Republican I have ever met in my entire life is a wholly owned subsidiary of the insurance industry!”

Lungren once again immediately demanded that Weiner’s words be taken down. Weiner once more finally returned to the floor to withdraw his words, and ended his statement by saying that he has had “enough of the phoniness. We are gonna solve this problem because for years our Republican friends have been unable to and unwilling to. Deal with it!” His colleagues applauded his remarks.

Watch it:http://thinkprogress.org/2010/02/24/anthony-weiner-subsidiary/


At the end of the debate, the House voted 406-19 to repeal the insurers’ long-held exemption from anti-trust laws.

Transcript:

WEINER: You guys have chutzpah. The Republican Party is the wholly owned subsidiary of the insurance industry. They say this isn’t going to do enough, but when we propose an alternative to provide competition, they’re against it. They say we want to strengthen state insurance commissioners and they’ll do the job. But when we did that in our national health care bill, they said we’re against it. They said we want to have competition but when we proposed requiring competition they’re against it. They’re a wholly owned subsidiary of the insurance industry. That’s the fact!

LUNDREN: Mr. Speaker I ask that the gentleman’s words be taken down.

WEINER: You really don’t want to go there, Mr. Lundren. <...> Make no mistake about it. Every single Republican I have ever met in my entire life is wholly owned subsidiary of the insurance industry. That is why —

LUNDREN: Mr. Speaker I ask that the gentleman’s words be taken down once more.

WEINER: Look, the point is very simple, there are inequities in the present way we distribute insurance. There are winners and there are losers. The winners are the insurance industry. <...> There is not bipartisanship on this particular issue. The people who sit on this side, at the risk of offending anyone, generally support the idea of standing up for the American people in their battle against big insurance. And the people generally speaking who sit on this side of the chamber and specifically speaking as well in a lot of cases, simply won’t permit that to happen and haven’t for a generation. Well, that is going to end now. <...> Enough of the phonyness. We are gonna solve this problem because for years our Republican friends have been unable to and unwilling to. Deal with it!” (applause)

UPDATE The roll call of the vote is now up. GOP Reps. Akin (MO), Boehner (OH), Brady (TX), Broun (GA), Buyer (IN), Franks (AZ), Garrett (NJ), Jenkins, Jordan (OH), King (IA), Lamborn (CO), Linder (GA), Moran (KS), Paul (TX), Price (GA), Ryan (WI), Sensenbrenner (WI), Tiahrt (KS), and Westmoreland (GA) voted against.

:woohoo: :applause:
Youtube has it up but I can't post it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOQ2GEGm3v0&feature=player_embedded

[eleny]

1. kr

[SharonRB]

2. I love Anthony Weiner! n/t

[cutlassmama]

22. +1000

[DesertFlower]

24. so do i. nt

[Nuclear Unicorn]

3. k&r

Now if only we could get our side to drop mandates without a PO or single-payer.

[AlbertCat]

76. Now if only we could get our side to drop mandates without a PO or single-payer.

I wondered... if one Repug Senator or one Indy Senator can hold everything up until his demands are acknowledged, then why can't one Progressive Dem hold things up and make demands?

[midnight]

109. Why indeed?

[Oregone]

4. Just all Republicans?

[Common Sense Party]

10. Our guys' poop doesn't stink.

[defendandprotect]

12. Not to be acknowledged --

cause it might lead people to see the real reasons why the Democrats have

been dragging their feet on this all year!!

Baucus -- Obama -- Rahm . . !!!

:evilgrin:

[roguevalley]

21. he really is the greatest and he's an old friend of Jon Stewart.

[Enthusiast]

97. Still.

The Democrats are a partially owned subsidiary of the insurance industry, the Republicans are a wholly owned subsidiary of the insurance industry. We still have SOME good guys, like Weiner.

[wizstars]

29. If the shoe fits, don't let the dog drag it off........

...as my dear departed grandfather used to say....

[polichick]

5. LOL - give 'em hell! nt

[mopinko]

6. woooooohoooo

yeah, get the cojones out and wear 'em.

[Deep13]

7. Republicans find the truth offensive.

Evil people usually do.

[Triana]

84. Like holy water on a vampire n/t

[Lifelong Protester]

8. He is one righteous dude!

Sing it, brother!

[pleah]

9. K AND R!

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[defendandprotect]

11. Weiner's words were worth saying to tell America what's really going on -- !!!

Even if he had to retract them!!

Meanwhile .. .

House voted 406-19 to repeal the insurers’ long-held exemption from anti-trust laws.

That's good news!!

Now what will the Senate do with it?

[booley]

43. 406 to 19

which means I think even republicans voted for it.

Now watch the GOP in the Senate filibuster it because it's not bipartisan.

[defendandprotect]

61. And watch "Democrats" tell us we need 60 votes -- !!

[KharmaTrain]

89. Yep...They Will Cause The GOOP Will Attempt To Filibuster It...

The actual vote would be 51 to pass, but before that can happen, I'm all but certain the GOOP will push for yet another "cloture" vote to "end the debate". That's where the 60 comes in...and Reid will cave...afraid of the big bad rushpublicans that he won't even bring the bill to the floor...thus effectively killed.

[sam sarrha]

93. let em read the phone book or the Bible for a couple months.. skipping where Jesus healed the Poor..

[Lasher]

92. Link to Roll Call 64, for posterity.

Link to Roll Call 64 result here.

Every single one of the 19 nay voters were Republicans, of course.

[cal04]

13. I just called congressman Weiner's office to thank him

and tell him how awesome he was today!

[global1]

14. Go Weiner Go!!!!! - This Has Got To Go Viral.....

that was great. So when the truth hurts - just strike the truth from the record. That the Regressive (formerly Repugs) way.

[Dappleganger]

15. K&R nt

[Blue Owl]

16. SAY IT LOUDER PLEASE

I can't hear you, Rep. Weiner!


:applause: :patriot: :applause: :patriot: :applause: :patriot:

[texanwitch]

17. Say it every damn day.

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[madamesilverspurs]

18. Watched it happen live,

couldn't decide whether to cheer or cry with joy. So I did both.

--

[Frustratedlady]

19. That is a classic. Three cheers for Weiner.

He reminds me of a little boy who knows he's right and keeps getting sent to the corner. He obeys, but keeps coming back with a "Yeah, but...."~ I love it.

I wish we had more like him.

[Stevenmarc]

20. He's one of NYC's treasures

[Jefferson23]

23. Good for him, although we have our own pigs, I'm glad someone

called these creeps out.

[eridani]

25. Unfortunately, so are a lot of Dems n/t

[yurbud]

54. that was my first thought. They need more talk like this in the Democratic caucus to the DLC wing

[hisownpetard]

26. Fantastic. My new hero!

[quiet.american]

27. Awesome. And awesome result, too! 406-19 -- excellent! nt

(Now, Senate, it's your turn.)

[happygoluckytoyou]

28. WEINER AIN'T NO BOHNER.... and thank GOD for that!!!!!!

[FedUp_Queer]

51. I literally laughed out loud when I read this.

[Mumblefratz]

30. We need so many more just like Weiner and Grayson.

[corpseratemedia]

31. Honesty is offensive to the gop

"truth hurts" lol

[Divine Discontent]

32. THAT is exactly how all Democrats need to treat these types of BIG issues.

[liam_laddie]

33. Blessings and all such kudos on Rep. Weiner

:toast:
The country needs many, many more progressives like him, else our experiment in a democratic system
of government slips beneath the waves of history...

[colsohlibgal]

34. Awesome

This is getting to be fun, the bought and sold wing nut tool whores are about as easy a target as possible. This sets up Obama vs tools 2 tomorrow.

[Renew Deal]

35. That guy is a hero.

I love his quick talking NY style. He should have been mayor, but that's life.

[amborin]

36. K&R

[Nikki Stone1]

37. Pot. Kettle. Black.

Sick and tired of partisan rants while everyone of those Congressional critters is on the take.

[Political Heretic]

38. What does having your words "taken down" mean? And why should wiener give a shit?

[PADemD]

41. Link here

http://www.c-span.org/guide/congress/glossary/wordtake.htm

[ChicagoSuz219]

39. He forgot to add:

"And that goes double for you, Lieberman!"

[Political Heretic]

52. Wrong chamber.

[dmr]

40. I love this guy. He minces no words. n/t

[Uncle Joe]

42. Congressman Weiner called it like it was and the Republicans; with their actions have shown no

evidence to the contrary.

Thanks for the thread, cal.:thumbsup:

[bread_and_roses]

44. Good for him! Truth OUT yes! It's just too bad the Ds are partially owned

subsidiaries of the insurance industry. But good for him, good for him, any truth at all in these times is a welcome change. I'm a NYer, though not in his district - still, I'll call his office tomorrow to tell them Right On!

[SalmonChantedEvening]

45. As always, the truth is offensive to the GOP. n/t

[Vidar]

46. Bravo Rep. Weiner!

[leeroysphitz]

47. That's what I'm talking about. n/t

[BlancheSplanchnik]

48. YAYY!!

I LOVE it!

ha, I want to say he's got some brass ovaries, but with a name like weiner..... :P

[FedUp_Queer]

49. Balls as big as church bells.

I remember a saying from the movie Dragnet from Dabney Coleman talking to the corrupt reverend: "Reverend, you've got balls as big as church bells." After today, that is Congressman Weiner.

[bluethruandthru]

50. He's my hero! n/t

[KathieG]

53. He nailed it! I love Anthony Weiner!

:applause:

[depakid]

55. If we had about 100 more of him (including one in the whitehouse)

Democrats would be talking about how much they'd be increasing their majorities in the House- rather staring down the prospect of House Speaker Bohner.

[ChiciB1]

87. "Including One In The White House... NOW YOU'RE TALKING!! n/t

[NYC_SKP]

56. K & R nt

[nyc 4 Biden]

57. Error: You've already recommended that thread.

Weiner/Grayson 2016?!

[cascadiance]

58. And thanks Pete DeFazio also for continuing to give Weiner time to make his point!

Awesome by both congressmen!

Deal with it you corporatist crooks!!!

[warm regards]

59. The problem is that both sides are owned...

[DemoTex]

60. Weiner rocks! Swing those balls, man. You got 'em; flaunt 'em!

Weiner is a winner.

[KaryninMiami]

62. The link worked fine- Weiner is once again, a Wow Nt

[diane in sf]

63. How true! Unfortunately so are half the Senate Dems...

[SHRED]

64. Why are we concerend with Republicans?

We know they are swine.

The Democratic Party is what I am most concerned about.

Where do we turn now?


----

[XOKCowboy]

65. If he wants to run I'll vote for him.

All I'm saying.

[datadiva]

66. I laughed for an hour

It was so funny to watch Lundgren. He was almost apoplectic!

[Guilded Lilly]

67. Backbone, guts, nerve and TRUTH

Mr. Weiner THANK-YOU for telling it exactly as it is.

[eagertolearn]

68. He's the male version of Rachel Maddow..... When they talk it just makes me

so happy that someone is speaking for us and that they both are so right on!!!!!:loveya:

[SalviaBlue]

69. K&R

[2QT2BSTR8]

70. KICK AND SCORE!!!

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[jtuck004]

71. He accuses them of being the representatives of the insurance

companies and they object.

When will the Democrats stand up and demand that "words be taken down" when the opposition used terms such as death panels, or demand the words be taken down when they don't acknowledge 35 million people with no health insurance or 12 million people that
need jobs today?

Wish we could bottle and sell some of Weiner's emotion and heart-felt compassion and give it to those who are silent.

[harun]

72. Bravo, bravo!

[MindandSoul]

73. It needed to be said that clearly. Thanks Rep. Weiner!

[Blue_In_AK]

74. Shannyn Moore frequently says on her radio program

that she wants to marry Anthony Wiener -- if only for the hyphenated name. :rofl:

Seriously, that was a thing of beauty. I loved it.

[AnnieBW]

75. And you've been PWNED by Anthony Weiner!

:bounce:

[rainy]

77. Wow. nt

[Mudoria]

78. Just saw this on the Maddow show

all I can say is good for you Mr. Weiner. If we had more Democrats like you this country and it's health care system would be an example to the world instead of a joke.

[Bette Noir]

79. I woo-hooed when I saw that on the news.

As soon as they cut to commercial, I emailed Rep. Weiner to express my appreciation.

[Mythbuster]

80. Out-friggin-standing!!! Just made my evening!

[Hekate]

81. It Was a Thing of Beauty to Behold. Wooh!

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[grahamhgreen]

82. Unfortunatley it looks like Obama is too. nt

[glinda]

83. K&R n/t

[Hannah Bell]

85. The great fighter for liberty ron paul voted against it? unbelievable!

[ChiciB1]

86. Weiner Is NOW Gaining Some Ground... I Say You Go & DON'T STOP!!

Keep the pressure on, be the DEMOCRAT that we know you can be, and the DEMOCRAT that so many of us THOUGHT we were getting!

With people like Dean, Weiner and some other fiery Democrats, we still can fight back against DLC types, and the RAT RAAA-UUUMMM!!

[rpannier]

88. How did Lungren vote???

I'd laugh my ass off if he voted NO

[lib_wit_it]

90. This is the best thing since Grayson said the R's health plan was for people to die quickly! I

actually screamed with joy the first time I saw the footage and :woohoo:ed and applauded for a good 15 seconds in my own living room when I saw it again on Rachel. I Also donated to him through Act Blue. And I don't really have a lot of spare money, but this kind of truth needs to be rewarded and encouraged.

Thank you Anthony Weiner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:woohoo::applause::woohoo::applause::woohoo::applause::woohoo::applause::woohoo::applause::woohoo::applause::woohoo::applause::woohoo:
:applause::woohoo::applause::woohoo::applause::woohoo::applause::woohoo::applause::woohoo::applause::woohoo::applause:
:woohoo::applause::woohoo::applause::woohoo::applause::woohoo::applause::woohoo::applause::woohoo::applause::woohoo::applause::woohoo:

[lib_wit_it]

91. Oh, and FUCK. YOU. LUNDREN. You and your whole fucking party of liars and thieves.

[Zoeisright]

101. [phone]

[liberal N proud]

94. The Republicans probably considered it a compliment

They know who they represent and it isn't you and me.

[Enthusiast]

95. Rep. Anthony Weiner = Hero!

Thank you Representative Weiner for saying what we all want said.

[DailyGrind51]

96. Anthony Weiner & Alan Grayson in 2016 or maybe even 2012?

[Crunchy Frog]

98. "That's not fair! We're owned by other industries too."

[DisgustedInMN]

99. Rep. Anthony Weiner is clearly one..

.. of the few "good guys" in Congress. Sadly, he, Grayson, Franken, Sanders and the like (yes there are a few others) are very much the exception. If it were only Republican that were owned by the scumbags of the corporations, and it's not "the insurance industry" that has their greedy hooks into our government, then we would actually see things done in our (We the People's) best interests. Just ask yourself this: is that happening? The real problem isn't that "corporations own Republicans." The real problem is that corporations own the entire system.

[Zoeisright]

100. Burn in hell, LUndgren. YOu're 'offended'??? You're MURDERING

45,000 Americans every year by refusing to provide national health care. YOu fucking repuke pig.

[deacon]

102. The GOP doesn't want health care, social security of medicare. Thats all they do - dance step

around important issues to give the impression they are there to help you. Thats why they called the summit a "trap" in that, it's a trap if we end up exposed of who we really are.

[moondust]

103. K/R

[pundaint]

104. We've heard tough talk before a Weiner fold before. I hear nothing - show me.

ALL of Congress is in the pockets of corporate interests. Anybody can talk tough. Dennis votes the talk, that's how we know he is for real - Weiner, not so much.

[invictus]

105. I am glad he pointed that out because no Democrat is owned by any lobby.

:sarcasm:

[samplegirl]

106. We all need to email him

and tell him great job!!! Keep it up!!!

[kjackson227]

107. I TOTALLY agree. I saw this yesterday, and he had me coming...

out of my chair. I look forward to seeing he and Rep. Grayson advance in their political careers.

[midnight]

108. At the end of the debate, the House voted 406-19 to repeal the insurers’ long-held exemption from

anti-trust laws. Both Ryan and Sensenbrenner from my state. So is this a done deal or do we see this being yanked off the table?

[Beartracks]

110. Srsly, one GOP rep is named 'Moran'?

Poor guy.

Say, whatever happened to Rep. Bastarde? j/k

-------------------

[craigmatic]

111. this guy has some grapefruits on him

[jeremyfive]

112. Is there someone in America who does not believe this obvious fact?

Anti-trust laws are very nice. Good job, Weiner. The truth stings a bit.

[Clear Blue Sky]

113. And no one on our side has taken insurance company money?

[myrna minx]

114. I adore him. K&R n/t

[freddie mertz]

115. K & R. We need this guy in the Senate, or better, the White House.

[LatteLibertine]

116. Epic. Love him.

[SoapBox]

117. Move On is doing "Virtual March" on D.C. for HEALTHCARE

...I'm going to toss this around some posts today...Please tell your friends!

MoveOn.org is asking folks to sign on to a Virtual March...you can
see it at their site...decide for yourself if you want to sign. It
also will give you your Senators phone numbers (if you give an
honest zip code.)

http://pol.moveon.org/virtualmarch10/action.html

[katty]

118. great, glad somebody said it!!

[BrklynLiberal]

119. That truthy thing really burns, don't it? LOLOLOLOLOLO

[winyanstaz]

120. K & R

I don't think the words should have been taken down...the truth might hurt but it's still the truth.

[Bobbie Jo]

121. Kick

:kick: