Rep. Steve Cohen on Thursday stood by his remarks in which he compared Republican attacks on the health care overhaul to Nazi propaganda advanced by Joseph Goebbels.
The Tennessee Democrat, who is Jewish, continues to face criticism over the remark, just weeks after an attempted assassination on an Arizona congresswoman prompted the nation to reconsider its political rhetoric.
Mr. Cohen released a lengthy and detailed statement on Thursday defending the comparison. “I want to be clear that I never called Republicans Nazis,” Mr. Cohen noted. The Tennessee Democrat added that he regrets that his comment has “distracted” from the debate over health care reform.
“They don’t like the truth so they summarily dismiss it,” Cohen said during Wednesday’s health care debate. “They say it’s a government takeover of health care, a big lie just like (Nazi propagandist Joseph) Goebbels.”
The comparison has prompted outcries from Republicans, who voted in favor of repealing President Obama’s health care law. The bill is largely seen as symbolic as the U.S. Senate and the White House have refused to consider any legislation aimed at repeal.
