Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.) unleashed a tirade on the House floor Wednesday, calling the national press corps “despicable” for covering former Rep. Eric Massa (D-N.Y.) nonstop but failing to cover the House debate on the war in Afghanistan.

Kennedy, the son of the late Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) who is retiring from Congress at the end of his term, lamented the lack of coverage of Rep. Dennis Kucinich’s (D-Ohio) resolution to end the war in Afghanistan that is now being debated.

“There’s two press people in this gallery,” he said, gesturing behind him. “We’re talking about Eric Massa 24/7 on the TV,” he said, raising his voice. “We’re talking about war and peace … and no press, no press! … The press of the United States is not covering the most significant issue of national importance and that’s the laying of lives down in the nation for the service of our country! It’s despicable, the national press corps right now.”

Kucinich’s resolution is expected to lose in a lopsided vote Wednesday afternoon.

Massa, facing a series of allegations of ethical wrongdoing, resigned his House seat earlier this week.