(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.
– Follow the Ticker on Twitter: @PoliticalTicker
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
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
Valid use of our lawmakers time. Very important issue.
Rudy NYC
Just today, Citigroup announced a 16% increase in profits over a year ago, yet they also announced plans to cut another 10,000 jobs.
----------
All of the new government regulations and taxes coming into affect means the company must make cut backs moving forward. Profits are in the past but the salaries of all these people are in the future and the company must remain profitable in order for any of their employees to have jobs.
Why don't the leftists understand creating jobs is a by product of a successful business. Companies do not get started for the express purpose of creating jobs, except for the person starting it. All the others result from a growing business.
My fiancee spent two weeks committed, they wouldn't let me take care of her, and the bills ruined her chance of education. Don't use that word lightly
Fisical cliff is looming and we're voting on this crap?
Takes one to know one I guess.
"think you can spend your way out of debt and that you have to pass bill before you read them" We got out of the Great Depression by spending taxes on the unemployed, and when you refuse to help write a bill for most of a year and then it passes anyway, you have to read it to find out what's in it.
I have seen more than one lefty making derogotory references. What is wrong with "leave it to beaver," and "green acres?" There is no cussing, there is expression of good family values, they were good, funny sitcoms. So, what is wrong with them?
@ Rich Peoples Union Local 250000: The coporations are sitting on more money than they ever have before, E V E R,in addition to paying at the lowest tax rates, and are refusing to create jobs. Tehy talked us in to trick;e down economics 30 years ago saying rising tide will lift all boats and it didn't. Either your logic is seriously flawed or you drank too much koo-aid, but it's likely both
Gohmert epitomizes the paralyzed non-governing that the GOP has imposed on Washington. I'm in Texas and I'm embarrassed and horrified that the rest of the country sees Gohmert as "representing" any people in Texas.
Gohmert wouldn't know what embarrassed means, though.
Louie Gohmert, standing up for lunatics... as always. I might've been for leaving the word in if I hadn't found out that idiot Gohmert likes it... he's wrong about everything. Possibly the stupidest person in congress other than Michelle Bachmann and Marsha Blackburn.
@ Wilson......
I guess the only thing wrong with "Leave it to Beaver" and "Green Acres" is that the series were like the GOP all white and lacked diversity. I will say this though the updated versions of both programs did have minorities in them and adjusted to the times accordingly..something it appears that the GOP has thus failed to do.
Yes, the word "lunatic" does have an application in Washington. I present to you Rep. Louie "Lunatic" Gohmert
somebody wrote:
All of the new government regulations and taxes coming into affect means the company must make cut backs moving forward. Profits are in the past but the salaries of all these people are in the future and the company must remain profitable in order for any of their employees to have jobs.
Why don't the leftists understand creating jobs is a by product of a successful business. Companies do not get started for the express purpose of creating jobs, except for the person starting it. All the others result from a growing business.
---------------–
That word salad could make a little sense if the jobs being cut were in the US. Almost all of them are jobs that have already been outsourced from the US.
@Rich Peoples Union Local 250000
Rudy NYC
Just today, Citigroup announced a 16% increase in profits over a year ago, yet they also announced plans to cut another 10,000 jobs.
----
All of the new government regulations and taxes coming into affect means the company must make cut backs moving forward. Profits are in the past but the salaries of all these people are in the future and the company must remain profitable in order for any of their employees to have jobs.
Why don't the leftists understand creating jobs is a by product of a successful business. Companies do not get started for the express purpose of creating jobs, except for the person starting it. All the others result from a growing business.
December 6, 2012 02:55 pm at 2:55 pm |
*********************************************************************************************************************************
Looks like Four and the Door is back spewing FOX NOISE again.
@Facts don't Lie
@ Wilson......
I guess the only thing wrong with "Leave it to Beaver" and "Green Acres" is that the series were like the GOP all white and lacked diversity. I will say this though the updated versions of both programs did have minorities in them and adjusted to the times accordingly..something it appears that the GOP has thus failed to do.
-------------------------------------–
Now I understand, it is racists against white people that have a problem with those two shows. Pretty sad when sitcoms showing examples of good family values and provide good family entertainment are derided by racist individuals simply because the actors happen to be white. I wonder what would happen if someone started making derogatory comments about BET?
The lunatics are in my hall. The paper holds their folded faces to the floor, and every day the paperboy brings more. So if the dam breaks open many years too soon, and there is no room upon the hill, and if the band you're in starts playing different tunes, I'll see you on the dark side of the moon.
What happened to the Republican 'Freedom Fries' bill?
I guess that you could say that this fellow proved his own point by voting against this bill?
Stunning. This vote in the House, and Harry Reid seeking a waiver for allowing food in the auditorium??
All we have in Congress are LUNATICS
"Now I understand, it is racists against white people that have a problem with those two shows." Just shut up. You are about the most tiresome fool on the entire internet.
He said "That's why we shouldn't eliminate the word lunatic. It really has application around this town," (Washington DC) You have to admit, he's got a point. That town is full of lunatics. And the term fits!
Republicans still Monday morning qb'ing about the election. Are you all still so blind and ignorant that you can't see that your party demonized everyone but rich white men and pandered mostly to a racist fringe, so much so that your party could not etch a sketch it's way back to the center. Do yourselves a favor and compare the diversity of campaign rallies and even your convention.
@Pink Floyd
..... Just shut up. You are about the most tiresome fool on the entire internet.
---------------------------------
I'm sorry, but for that honor you will need to look in the nearest mirror.
Are you kidding me? Where are the tea baggers when u need them?
Louie Gohmert should know the word still applies, especially to him. This guy is one total nut!