A Democratic congressman from Florida is refusing to apologize for saying that Republicans want Americans to "die quickly" if they get sick.

Rep. Alan Grayson made his comments on the House floor Tuesday night while criticizing Republican health care proposals. The first-term Democrat is known for being provocative.

Republicans are likening Grayson's remark to Republican Rep. Joe Wilson's widely criticized shout of "You lie!" during President Barack Obama's address to Congress earlier this month. They say Democrats should insist that Grayson apologize just as they did Wilson.

Grayson represents a Republican-leaning central Florida district around Orlando and was already among the GOP's top targets for the 2010 elections.