Republicans want a Democratic lawmaker to apologize or face a reprimand for saying the GOP wants Americans to "die quickly" if they get sick. They note Democrats' insistence on a similar scolding of a Republican who shouted "You lie!" at President Barack Obama.
Rep. Alan Grayson of Florida has refused to apologize for his remarks on the House floor Tuesday night in which he criticized Republican health care proposals as a "blank piece of paper."
"If you get sick, America, the Republican health care plan is this: die quickly," he said. "That's right. The Republicans want you to die quickly if you get sick."
His remarks weren't spontaneous: He reinforced his point with signs saying the same thing.
Republicans are likening the remarks to Rep. Joe Wilson's widely criticized shout of "You lie!" during Obama's address to Congress earlier this month.
They say Democrats should insist that Grayson apologize just as they insisted Wilson, R-S.C., should.
Rep. Tom Price of Georgia, who heads the conservative Republican Study Committee, drafted a "resolution of disapproval" that mirrors the one Democrats approved against Wilson, saying Grayson's conduct was "a breach of decorum and degraded the integrity and proceedings of the House."
Price said Wednesday afternoon that Republicans would withhold introducing it to give Grayson more time to apologize.
"The American people want open and honest discussion," Price said. "They want respectful discussion."
House Republican leader John Boehner supports Price's efforts, said Michael Steel, a spokesman for Boehner.
Grayson's spokesman has not responded to a request for comment, and Democratic leaders so far have been silent. But behind the scenes, Democratic aides point to comments that Republicans have made in recent weeks alleging that Democratic health care legislation would kill people.
Grayson, a first-term Democrat known for being provocative, represents a Republican-leaning district around Orlando and was already among the GOP's top targets for the 2010 elections.
Ken Spain, spokesman for the House Republican campaign arm, said Democrats should be "lining up to call on him to apologize."
"House Speaker Nancy Pelosi now has an opportunity to condemn the very behavior and tone of this health care debate that she claims will 'incite violence,'" he said, referring to Democratic concerns that the bitter tone of the health care debate could lead to attacks.