WASHINGTON — Rep. Joe Wilson said emphatically Sunday he won't apologize to his colleagues for defaming President Obama, increasing the likelihood the House will pass an official reprimand as early as this week.

Wilson was more defiant than contrite in answering a series of sharp questions from Chris Wallace on "Fox News Sunday," his first appearance on a Sunday morning talk show.

The South Carolina Republican left little doubt he will reject House Democratic leaders' demand he stand on the floor and apologize to other lawmakers for shouting "You lie!" during Obama's address to Congress last week.

"I am not going to apologize again," Wilson said. "I believe the American people know I'm a civil person. I respect the institution of the House. I have apologized to the president. I believe that should be enough."

Wilson issued a hard-hitting statement after the news program.

"The American people are fed up with the political games in Washington," he said. "I refuse to participate in an effort to divert our attention away from the task at hand of reforming health insurance and creating new jobs. Having apologized on Wednesday to the White House, we agreed that we must move forward in a civil manner to do the work the American people have sent us here to do."

Wilson added: "Health insurance reform is too important to take a backseat to political partisanship."

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