(CNN) - The U.S. House passed a bill Wednesday to do away with the word "lunatic" in federal law with a sole congressman voting against the measure, insisting in Washington the word still has an application.
Three hundred ninety-eight congressmen voted in favor of passing the bill. Thirty two did not vote and one, Rep. Louie Gohmert, a Republican from Texas, voted against the measure, which passed the Senate in May with no opposition.
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The House voted on the bill, aimed at modernizing language referring to the mentally ill, Wednesday morning, just as Congress was leaving for a long weekend and ahead of the looming "fiscal cliff."
"I don't have a problem with lunatic being used in the federal law and apparently I was the only one on the floor here that didn't have a problem using the term lunatic," Gohmert said, in a speech on the House floor criticizing the Obama administration’s budget proposal.
"In fact, in occurred to me, that not only should we not use the term lunatic at a time when we are facing national bankruptcy if we don't get serious about our issues but we should also use the term to identify those who want to continue doing business as usual around this town."
Lawmakers and the public's frustration boils as Washington's continues to show its inability to reach common ground to avoid the fiscal cliff - a series of tax hikes and spending cuts set to go into effect at the beginning of the year if a deal is not struck between the opposing demands of the White House and congressional Republicans.
Gohmert chided President Barack Obama's administration for their opposition to extending the Bush-era tax cuts for the top 2% of earners. Democrats paint the Republicans as holding middle-class incomes hostage for maintaining the Bush-era rates be extended for income of all levels. For their part, Republicans argue for closing loopholes and tax deductions to generate revenue to tame the nation's growing debt as well as reform for the tax code and entitlement programs.
Gohmert reiterated the GOP sentiment, saying wealthy people like Warren Buffett can still use the loopholes and deductions while the middle-income earners cannot.
"That's why we shouldn't eliminate the word lunatic. It really has application around this town," he said.
From CNN Politics
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time to face facts Gomer. Raygunism is failed policy, just as it was when Mr.TaxCutsFixEverything TRIPLED the national debt in 8 years.
How dose Rep. Louie Gohmert, a Republican do that with his mouth , where did he learn how to do that ?
And who is the guy behind him thinking real hard ?
Hm... while I agree with the bill, aren't there far more important things congress needs to be doing right now?
takes one to know one, Louie.
Louie and the unhinged GOBP tea potty ARE lunatics. 2014 comes quickly.
Of course Gohmert doesn't mind the word lunatic, it's is middle name.
Before you get too deep into this story, you just know that the phrase, "R-Texas" will appear.
It's nice to see congress wasting their time on the word "lunatic" which fits so many of them so incredibly well and not care about the disabled (including our veterans) or the looming fiscal cliff as the house went home for a non deserved long vacation.
The reason gohmert voted against the word is that it fits him to a tee. This guy could be the first resident of the newterman's moon colony!
What's next trying to blame Acorn for the President "stealing" the election? Wait, Acorn hasn't been around for two years. That's lunacy too.
Good ole Louie. He knows a lunatic when he sees one. He seesone in the mirror every day.
The irony here is too strong to even bother commenting on.
Real rich, given he's a bona fide lunatic.
He does not mind the word because where he is from it equates to being normal.
Since Gohmert,is a lunatic, his vote against the term which best describes him was entirely appropriate.
Well, as a Texan, he has encountered many lunatics- at his rallies, fund raisers, etc...
Well,yes Congressman, it would appear that we can still employ the word lunatic occasionally.
Having listened to some of the idiocy, nonsense, and tin foil hat conspiracies spoken by Gohmert on the floor of Congress, someone should really tell him that the only time the rest of Washington needs to use that term are those rare occasions that they are talking about him.
Of course he would want to keep the term lunatic, it bests describes the GOP.
With all the major issues that need to be dealt with, this is a decision that passes the House???????? No wonder Congress is viewed with such disguse
Not surprising in the least considering eliminating that word is akin to eliminating Gohmert. Seriously, this man is mentally insane.
Gohmert says, "The word lunatic really has application around this town". Yes it does Louie, just go stand in front of a mirror.
Gohmert has a point. The word is needed to describe him!
I remember my grade school teacher saying, "It takes one to know one." This adage applies here, no doubt.
Holding the debt ceiling hostage is not only stupid, it's an act of lunacy!!!
Hey, I get it. I'd be upset if I could no longer use the words "witty" or "dashingly handsome" at work.
Republican from Texas says it all. Next story.