Anthony Weiner: “something in me enjoys this exercise in self-flagellation by all of the lawyers in this Chamber. From time to time…”

“something in me enjoys this exercise in self-flagellation by all of the lawyers in this Chamber. From time to time, those of us who are not lawyers in this Chamber, we convene a meeting, and we can do it in the phone booth in the cloakroom; but now we are all so angry at lawyers. But this is not about lawyers. Frankly, most Americans are neither lawyers nor, thank God, are they victims, so they do not have to go into courts; and that is a good thing. But the groups that do represent victims, that do represent average Americans, almost universally oppose this legislation. Those that represent cancer patients, the American Cancer Society, oppose this legislation. Those who fight against pollution, the Clean Water Action, oppose this legislation. Those who represent seniors, the Gray Panthers, oppose this legislation. Those who represent consumers oppose this legislation. Those who fight against violence against women, the National Women's Health Network, oppose this legislation, because it is bad for victims and it is bad for those who use the system. The gentleman from Virginia had these great charts. I am going to have to gesture because he would not let me use them. He had these great charts about 35 cents; that is all people are getting. Do my colleagues know why? Because there are millions and millions of victims; millions and millions of victims in that class. That is all that can go around is 35 cents.”