An influential Democratic congressman announced Monday that he will introduce a resolution formally censuring Rep. Steve King, seeking to put the entire House on record against the Iowa Republican whose recent comments have landed him in the middle of controversy.
Rep. Bobby L. Rush, Illinois Democrat, said it was time the entire House speak out against Mr. King.
“As with any animal that is rabid, Steve King should be set aside and isolated,” Mr. Rush said. “His rabid racism continues to stain and embarrass this body and the years of deliberate silence from Republicans have only emboldened his ignorant and immoral behavior and empowered those who emulate him.”
Mr. King during last year’s congressional campaign faced accusations of embracing racist beliefs by meeting with and endorsing far-right politicians from other countries.
In defending himself last week, he gave an interview to The New York Times in which he questioned what was wrong with white nationalism.
“White nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization — how did that language become offensive?” Mr. King told the newspaper. “Why did I sit in classes teaching me about the merits of our history and our civilization?”
Taking to the House floor afterward, Mr. King said that was taken out of context.
“One phrase in that long article has created an unnecessary controversy,” he said. “That was my mistake.”
He also issued a statement calling white nationalism an “evil ideology” and saying he rejects it. He said he considers himself a “nationalist” and an advocate for western civilization.
Mr. King was scheduled to meet with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy on Monday to talk about his comments.
“Action will be taken,” Mr. McCarthy promised on CBS’s “Face the Nation” program Sunday. “I’m having a serious conversation with Congressman Steve King on his future and role in this Republican Party.”
Censure is a reprimand in name, but does not specifically carry any penalty beyond that.
The most recent lawmaker to be censured was former Rep. Charles B. Rangel, New York Democrat, who was dinged for using his congressional office to raise money for a personal institute and filing bad financial disclosure forms.
Under pressure, he gave up the chairmanship of the House Ways and Means Committee. But the censure didn’t dent his election prospects, as he won re-election three more times, serving until 2017.
Mr. King has already drawn a GOP primary challenger for 2020.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.
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