Pelosi: Republicans Hold A Double Standard On Rhetoric

By Leah Valencia, University of New Mexico – Talk Radio News Service

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) commented on the harsh rhetoric used by Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.) on the House floor earlier this week, accusing Republicans of holding a double standard.

"Apparently Republicans are holding Democrats to a higher level than they are holding their own members," Pelosi said in regard to GOP calls for Grayson to retract his comments.

Grayson came under fire for remarking "If you get sick, America, the Republican health care plan is this: Die quickly. That's right. The Republicans want you to die quickly if you get sick," while on the House floor Tuesday.

Pelosi went on to say that an apology from Grayson was not necessary but stated that incendiary rhetoric should not be used by either party.

"If anybody's going to apologize, everybody should apologize," Pelosi said.

Grayson said Democratic leaders have not asked him to apologize because he did not violate any House rules.

Pelosi said she did not plan to let Republican use this to distract from moving on healthcare legislation.

"The points have been made," she said. "Now it's time for us to keep the focus on health care."