Georgia Rep. Nathan Deal (R) announced today he will remain in the House until after the forthcoming health care vote. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Deal was urged by House Minority Leader John Boehner and Gov. Sonny Perdue to do so, despite announcing earlier this week that he was leaving Congress to focus on his bid for governor.

"Just two days after I announced my intentions to leave Congress, the majority party stepped up the schedule for the proposed health care bill," Deal said in a press release. "Having been deeply involved in all health care legislation for the past decade, I knew it was important to stay and vote down this bill."

Here is House Minority Whip Eric Cantor's statement in response to Deal's announcement:

“The Democrats' health care overhaul will affect every single American. If President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, and Leader Reid use partisan reconciliation to jam a trillion dollar health care overhaul through Congress and subvert the will of a majority of Americans, we will do everything in our power to give that majority a voice during the vote.

“When dealing with legislation of the size, scope, and cost of the Democrats' health care overhaul, every Member of Congress should be listening to his constituents and representing their viewpoints. Nathan Deal is doing just that, and I join many Georgians – and Americans – in praising his decision.”

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