NASHVILLE, Tenn. (SUBMITTED) -- Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney issued a statement today after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) introduced health care legislation to be voted on next week that includes a so-called "public option."

"The introduction of this 2,000 page legislation is a perfect example of President Obama and Speaker Pelosi turning their backs on the majority of Americans that continue to say ‘NO' to a government takeover of health care," said Devaney. "Not only are Democrats opening the door to government-run health care, but they're paying for it by cutting Medicare benefits for seniors, raising taxes and forcing states to pick up the tab for a massive expansion of Medicaid. The question is whether Tennessee Democrats are going to fall in line behind the Speaker and vote in favor of this irresponsible legislation."

According to a vote database provided by the Washington Post, Tennessee Democrats have consistently voted with Speaker Pelosi and her liberal allies during this Congress. According to the Post's database, during the 111th Congress:

Rep. Steve Cohen (TN-9) has voted with the majority of his Democrat colleagues 98.4 percent of the time;

Rep. Jim Cooper (TN-5) has voted with the majority of his Democrat colleagues 88.1 percent of the time;

Rep. Lincoln Davis (TN-4) has voted with the majority of his Democrat colleagues 94.8 percent of the time;

Rep. Bart Gordon (TN-6) has voted with the majority of his Democrat colleagues 96.7 percent of the time; and

Rep. John Tanner (TN-8) has voted with the majority of his Democrat colleagues 94.4 percent of the time.

"What is most disturbing about these numbers is that it proves the Tennessee Democrats who always tout their Blue Dog conservative values are, in the end, just lap dogs for their liberal Speaker," continued Devaney. "I'll be interested to see if they roll over for the Speaker next week or if they finally decide to stand up on behalf of the majority of Tennesseans that don't want to see their health care in the hands of the government."

A recent report from the Associated Press outlined a few notable items in House Democrats' legislation introduced today:

"The legislation would be financed by a combination of cuts in planned Medicare spending and an income tax surcharge of 5.4 percent on individuals making at least $500,000 annually and couples making at least $1 million.

"The bill would require nearly everyone by 2013 to sign up for health coverage either through their employer, a government program or the new exchange..."

"The plan also calls for a significant expansion of Medicaid, the federal-state health program for low-income people. And it would impose a requirement on employers to offer insurance to their workers or face penalties."

(This information was submitted by The Tennessee Republican Party.)