Outspoken Rep. Alan Grayson Gets Fame with 'Die Quickly' Remark Against Republican Sabotage

Freshman U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson refused to back down Wednesday from remarks made on the House floor the night before, in which he said the Republican health care plan calls for sick people to "die quickly." In fact, Grayson, a Democrat who represents a central Florida swing district that includes Orlando, made another floor speech in which he apologized to the dead and their families for not acting sooner on health care reform. What I mean is they have got no plan," Grayson said. "It's been 24 hours since I said that. Where is the Republican plan? We're all waiting to see something that will take care of the pre-existing conditions, to take care of the 40 million Americans who have no coverage at all.


"That's what I meant when I said that the Republican plan is don't get sick. And if you do get sick, die quickly."

Republicans pounced on Grayson's late-night speech and demanded 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," Rep. Jimmy Duncan, R-Tennessee, told Politico.

On Wednesday, Grayson apologized, but it wasn't the apology the Republicans wanted.

Citing a Harvard University study released this month that said 44,000 Americans die each year because they have no health insurance, Grayson called on Democrats and Republicans "to do our jobs for the sake of those dying people and their families."

"I apologize to the dead and their families that we haven't voted sooner to end this holocaust in America," he said.

That prompted National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Ken Spain to issue a stinging rebuke, saying Grayson is "doubling down on his despicable remarks, and he is dragging his party with him."

"This is an individual who has established a pathological pattern of unstable behavior," Spain said. "He is derailing the national debate on health care reform and embarrassing his constituents as a result."

But in a spirited discussion on CNN that included Democratic strategist James Carville and Republican strategist Alex Castellanos, Grayson stood his ground. He rejected the suggestion that his remarks were the political equivalent of South Carolina Republican Rep. Joe Wilson's shout of, "You lie," at the president during his nationally televised speech on health care.

"I didn't insult the president in front of 40 million people," he said. " ... When you don't have a plan, what that means is your plan is don't get sick. So what I said is true. What Joe Wilson said, on the other hand, is false."

Castellanos insisted that Republicans agreed with the Democrats on pre-existing conditions and would "stand with him 100 percent" if the president added such Republican-backed proposals as tort reform and allowing citizens to shop across state lines for insurance -- a strategy Democrats say will drive insurance companies into the states with the most lax regulations.

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[iLuvAkeys4ever]

Just think if 44, 789 people die every year from lack of health insurance, and we go back to 1960 which will be 49 years x 44,789 that means that approximately 2,194,661 WOW thats 2 million one hundred and ninety four thousand six hundred and sixty one Americans have died in America because they don't have health insurance. What have Republicans done about this over the majority of time they have been in power???? from England

[OrmEmber]

Listen and look closely to how the Republicans read their script. What insurance company lobbyist wrote it for them? You can close your eyes and just imagine the writing session going on behind closed doors at CIGNA, Blue Cross, Anthem as the insurance execs read the scripts out loud, then get it stamped for approval, and handed off to the Senator or Congressman they purchased. There are no representatives anymore. Just bad script readers, paid to work for the corporations, not for you.

[steveinchelsea]

Right on, Alan! And good luck in your election! I know all the GOP leadershi and the TBaggers want to take you down in the worst way! But I think you can pull it off!  We need your continued presence !

[gunslinger713]

So is this alan guy not corrupted since he is new?

[AirrumSirhc]

she tried to be slick with the Street Fighter reference, but i caught it. HA!

[bonsallamo]

hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry PASS IT BEFORE MORE PEOPLE DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!

oh, but don't let it take effect until 2013......

[billfurd1]

Dems and Republicans are in our pockets and our returns deminish every year!! These Parties want to devide America, because the day they can't control the people of the US like puppets is the day they run and hide!!

[Callhermaam]

Too bad Grayson didnt see this youtube clip before he said the republicans want you to die. Search Robert Reich: What An Honest President Would Say About Health Reform .. if you are very old were not going to give you all that technology and all those drugs for the last couple of yrs of your life to keep you going for another couple of months. Its too expensive so we are going to let you die. Robert Reich. Mr Grayson, this video should make you feel warm and fuzzy. Enjoy.

[ryanshaunkelly]

Rachel sure did have a BIG problem with Grayson's use of a word...

She sounded just like an AIPAC Neocon "dishing out the punishment"

Honesty compassion intelligence guts?

We have an ongoing American Holocaust.

Do you still want to believe what they told you about 9/11?

The guilty are busy importing private mercenaries to hide behind.

[dadhadit]

lady shut up , i liked it tell it like it is