"It's a very simple plan," Grayson said in the speech Tuesday night. "Don't get sick. That's what the Republicans have in mind. And if you get sick America, the Republican health care plan is this: die quickly."
The after-hours speech, which included prominent banners behind the congressman to reinforce his point, drew immediate calls from some Republicans for an apology.
"That is about the most mean-spirited partisan statement that I've ever heard made on this floor, and I, for one, don't appreciate it," Tennessee Republican Rep. Jimmy Duncan told the Politico.
Grayson has not issued an apology, and a spokesman for the congressman said no additional statement on the matter is forthcoming.
Rep. Tom Price, R-Georgia, announced Wednesday he will introduce a resolution condemnig Grayson for the comments, similiar to a successful Democratic effort earlier this month that formally criticized South Carolina Republican congressman Joe Wilson for his "You lie!" outburst during President Obama's joint adress to Congress.
The National Republican Congressional Committee has already circulated several stories about the incident, eager to take aim at the freshman congressman from a swing district, who won by a 4 point margin in 2008.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is not responding to the comments.
From CNN Politics
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As the saying goes, "the truth hurts."
The republicans actually do have a plan, it is HR3400. Some of you should read it some time. Even CNN.com has compared both the dems and repubs plans. As for the Grayson comment, I will leave it to his Florida constituents to deal with him.
I think it's hilarious that Republicans think they are winning this battle and they are on the "side of the people." Instead, they will continue to lose elections and I will laugh the whole time!
Why is this any different than the Republicans saying that Obama will have "death panels"!! Enough is enough – stop pouncing on words and work together like adults.
I just can't believe people still consider Republicans and Democrats as having different objectives. The end result from both parties is the same, give us more of your money so we can do with it as we see fit. As best as I can tell, neither side really cares about the results other than continuing their power and money train.
Do the words "freshman and just plain STUPID" ring a bell. Put this nut job in the smallest, farthest, most remote office and leave him there.
This does not promote debate. This does not promote converation. This promotes "What Stupid?"
Republicans want you to die if they cant rob your money through the insurance companies that will reimburse them in terms of campaign contribution
Well, I think "die quickly" adequately describes the Republicans attitude towards the poor.
Someone should punch this guy's lights out on the floor of the House. About time we had a few good fistfights there. Time to catch up with the rest of the world. And knowing how dems feel about fighting at anything (without some union thugs in tow), it will give the GOP one victory there at least.
Jimmy Duncan and TomPrice need to review the rules governing conduct inside our nation's chambers - what the SC dingleberry did violated those rules, aside from being totally racist - the only thing he didn't say was "boy" which typically follows 'you lie'.
Being from FL I am proud of Grayson - that is the GOP plan - 'don't get sick and die quickly' if you do get sick. That and where's my check from the insurance company?
If this bill passes with no public option, all our healthcare is in the toilet within 10 years - employer provided healthcare? – don't bank on it folks. You think your deductibles have gone up in the past 3-5 years, WAIT and HOLD ON TIGHT.
Republicans first need to apologize to the American people for all the corrupt and ugliness they created against our President. They haven't and they won't because they are behind it all.
The only thing wrong with Congressman Grayson's comment is that it is true.
Its about time that a least one Denocrat told it like it is.
I am kind of happy he said that, but he should be reminded that Bill Nelson voted against the Public Option.
Don't apologize! Its true! All Republicans and too many Democrats care about is the fact that health insurance companies donate billions of dollars to their campaigns. That is why the are against the only real reform, a public option- insurers would lose profits! So I say, no apology! I also would ask how many of the anti public option pro health insurance rape legislators' parents are on Medicare? We pay for their excellent health insurance and unblievable retirement packages but they care little for our well being and health care. Shame on them.
Sorry to say, I DO believe this is the Republican's plan. I've looked and looked and here's what I come up from Republicans ... end Medicare by offering seniors "vouchers" to buy their own overpriced insurance from the private insurers who will then ration and deny them care....leave everyone's health care plans up to the "free market" private insurers who will then ration and deny them care....do nothing at all (except tort reform, which benefits the insurers who won't pass any savings on to the physicians) and let the private insurers continue to ration and deny care. In America today, 45,000 people die every year due to lack of insurance or being under-insured, and more than 60% of all bankruptcies are due to medical bills. Yep, the Republican plan – die quickly!
If Sarah Palin and Joe Wilson can tell out right lies, not sure why the GOP would get upset at rhetorical flare that is grounded in the truth.
We might add to that – if you don't die quickly you must pay through the nose on your way out. If you can't pay then please drop dead. The republicans and some spineless Dems can't handle the truth.
Good for you Rep. Alan Grayson. Do not give them an apology. Keep up the good work. All the things the republicans have done and said. Anyway, they don't know what apology means, just ask Wison!
Imagine the number of crazy people we have who have written here and whoare supporting this stupid congressman from my constituency. He will be punished in come 2010. Democrats are the ones having death panels and who are careless about our seniors. Get a life – those who write here to support this stupid congressman.
Republicans are generally older.
Would we really miss em if they died off quickly?
...or can't...right Matzan? It's only gonna help lazy people? After your job is outsourced to India and can't find work, I hope your words come back to bite you in the behind.
We're drowning here and you're in your comfy living room yelling at the kids on your lawn. Shame on you.
You people on the left and right just don't get it, do you? You are so busy taking these shots at each other, that you are completely missing the fact that youare marginalizing yourselves by doing it. The Independent movement is growing and is demanding answers to questions that none of you want to deal with – you just want to insult each other. We're sick of it, and frankly, we don't care what you think anymore since you have nothing productive to say.
Answer the questions. How do we pay for this when our deficit is already so high? How do we increase demand without incresing supply? Are we controlling costs everywhere we can? Is anybody reading the legislation? There are lost more but just start there.
"How can anyone beleive that taking $500 billion from old folks will allow them to keep the same healthcare. "
Right. Soooo, when a Dem says "we plan to make Medicare more efficient and save $500B," the GOP says complain that the Dems are trying to take away $500B from a gov't entitlement program. Yet, if a GOPer says "we plan to cut Medicare spending by $500B," the GOP will claim it's fiscally responsible and that people whould be taking care of themselves, not relying on the gov't.
Remember: The GOP unanimously cheered Gingrich in 1994 when they took over Congress and he said they would now let Medicare and Social Security "wither on the vine."
Yet another hate filled left wing fundamentalist progressive spouting off.