Grayson remains defiant on 'die quickly' remarks
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/09/30/art.grayson.gi.jpg caption="Rep. Alan Grayson finally apologized - but not to Republicans."]
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Under fire for his claim that the GOP health care plan calls for sick people to "die quickly," Rep. Alan Grayson finally apologized - but not to Republicans.
"Last night, I gave a speech, and I'm not going to recount everything I said, but after that speech, several Republicans asked me to apologize," the Florida Democrat said in a defiant speech on the House floor Wednesday. "I would like to apologize."
Grayson then pointed to a Harvard study that reported more than 44,000 Americans die yearly because they lack health insurance. "That is ten times more than the number of Americans who have died in Iraq and who died in 9/11," he said. "But that was just once. This is every single year. That's right. Every single year. Take a look at this. Read it and weep."
"I apologize to the dead and their families that we haven't voted sooner to end this holocaust in America," he concluded.
House Republicans initially wanted to introduce a resolution condemning Grayson for breaching House decorum with his remarks on Tuesday night, but the resolution's sponsor, Rep. Tom Price of Georgia, decided on Wednesday not to introduce the resolution and instead asked for Grayson to apologize to House GOP leadership.
Grayson refused to do so, and Republicans were quick to blast him for it.
"Alan Grayson not only refuses to apologize, he is doubling down on his despicable remarks and he is dragging his party with him," said Ken Spain, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, which is targeting Grayson in next year's midterm election. "This is an individual who has established a pathological pattern of unstable behavior. He is derailing the national debate on healthcare reform and embarrassing his constituents as a result.
Spain also called on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to "end her silence and demand an apology."
Well said Grayson!
Republicans... "You lie!
The truth will set you free.... Democrats wake up, you may never have this kind of majority ever again!
MEMO
To: Congressman Grayson
NO APOLOGY TO THE RETHUGLICONS! They had it coming – Good Job and call them out again at every chance. It's nice to see a fellow dem with a spine!
And it was very classy of you to apologize to those who have lost family because they did not have health insurance. Like you said, the reason it's still happening is becasue the rethugs are obstructionists and on the health insurance "payrolls" because of all the campaign money they've taken.
Maybe, just maybe ALL Americans will finally wise up and stop being made chumps of by the GOP politicians they elected. There should be no question now that the motto of the GOP is "Cash before Country"...
When have the republicans ever, ever done anything for the good of America?
1. Eisenhower-Interstate highway system
2. ???
3. ???
4. Removing America's bankruptcy protection (laws written by the banks)
5. Patriot Act? This was a terrible piece of legislation no one in congress read. Has anyone out there read the patriot act? I have read sections of it.
6. Wiretapping without court order. The law does not matter at all! We are a nation of laws to be ignored for the right price.
Help me out here, have the republicans done anything for Americans?
7.Iran/Contra America was selling drugs to use the profits to purchase arms for the contras. Reagan was the biggest drug dealer of all time. He moved nations worth of dope.
8. McArthyism
Anymore?
He shouldn't be apologized at all, because that's kind of a guy needs to stand up for those idiots republicans..I love it!!!
Yep, that's my congressman! A person not afraid to take a stand on principle for the American families that need this health-care legislation.
It is past time to implement these reforms for our country and ALL Americans in need.
Why does the GOP seem to have a systemic aversion to truth? Had to lie to get us to attack Iraq, now lying about "death panels" and a whole laundry list of deceits. Hasn't the tragedy of their eight year long stranglehold on America sunk into them yet?
Republicans along with Baucus, Blanche and Carpenter are endorsing the murder of 44000 people every year.
They are TEN TIMES WORSE then the TERRORISTS of 9/11, on a YEARLY basis!
Finally someone telling the way it is. If you lose your health insurance or have a $250.00 jump in your monthly premiums like I just had, blame Republicans and some Democrats that are beholden to the insurance industry. He shouldn't apologize to anyone for saying what is true. Go Mr. Grayson. Republicans won't be happy until the country they ran into to ground takes it's waning breath. Republicans are the "America can't do" Party. I rather see the America I was raised in with the "We can do" philosophy.
Right on, Congressman Grayson! Thank you for speaking the truth.
Nice of Mr. Grayson to use the tragic deaths of 9/11 to make his point. Funny, I don't hear Nancy Pelosi calling this dangerous rhetoric. The left are 10 times more hatred inciting than conservatives on any issue. This guy just justifies all of the criticism against the president. I say this as someone who fully supports a public option in health care.
go Grayson!
Did anyone see Rick Sanchez today?........the amount of money being spent to defeat healthcare reform is ridiculous........The amount of money given to our representatives by the insurance companies is ridiculous.....how can we trust them to make decisions based on whats best for we the people.......A PUBLIC OPTION IS THE ONLY OPTION.
Right on, Alan Grayson.
Finally, someone has the balls to call out the GIOP.
People are dying because they get old, drive drunk, eat too much, drink to much and sit on their dead rears too much. People are dying.
Look at all the fat slobs cruising around the markets in power carts with baskets full of fast food trash.
We should nationalize health care and bankrupt the country to offer free health care to these self abusers???
Stop drinking and go on a diet.
The GOP calling foul... PUH-LEASE! I'm glad Grayson has the grapefruits to stand up for this health care bill. The GOP has no plan whatsoever other than to delay progress and spread fear! Grayson is 100% right, and he should stick to his guns.
And to anyone who will compare this to Joe Wilson: NOT EVEN CLOSE.
Bravo to Grayson. The republicans are a bunch of hypocrits that could care less about health care or any other policy in this country that corrects the unethical policies of he previous eight years. They fear monger, lie and do everything in their power obstruct real reform in this country thus protecting big business. Thought when we got rid of the destructive Bush regime we would be on the road to recovering the values of this country. Won't happen as long as republicans only objective is to JUST SAY NO
Why this Democratic keep apolozing about truth?.....this is shameful.
gee, i guess bad behavior is present on both sides. what a bone head move! did this guy think that no one would take notice of this? i can almost understand those 'hot mic' comments, but this guy must have known quite well that there was a camera in the room taping hte event. can we start giving these people commonsense test?
good for him!
The GOP does not care about healthcare.
And if you want to argue that the GOP does indeed care, then why have they done nothing for years!? But instead all they have done is complain about a President (and a former First Lady) for trying to do something!? Somebody please explain.
It is officially inexcusable and the Democratic party can do this without them! So stand aside GOP – we are SICK AND TIRED OF BEING SICK AND TIRED!
He is SO RIGHT!
Tell Congress to give up thier Public option if we can't have it .
Also thier lifetime of not paying anything into Social Security, and then being able to retire after 1 term with full salary for life, and Drawing thier earnings from our SOCIAL SECURITY TAXES that we all have paid for our entire working careers.
Tell them We want 1st class Health care for all Americans just like they are provided by our tax $
Dems need a back bone. The Reps say Obama wants to kill old people at town hall meetings and don't apologize so why should he apologize. If dems dont get a back bone, they will receive no more money from me.
Why should he apologize? I would only apologize whe Joe Wilson apologizes on the floor of congress, stops using what he did to raise money and the GOP apologizes for the "death panel" lies they started. I thik it about time a Dem stood up ad told the truth. The GOP is more worried about the insurance companies then America..
How many thousands die with health insurance?
Stand your ground Rep. Grayson.......You are absolutely correct to apologize for not getting heath care reformed sooner........The Republicans can sure dish out the crap, but they are such whiners and can't take it!
The republicans think they are the only party have a BIG and DIRTY MOUSE is brainless.