Scott Morgan/Reuters
Three House Democrats have announced they will move to formally punish Rep. Steve King (R-IA) for his remarks on “white nationalism” in a recent New York Times interview. Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL) said Monday he will introduce resolutions to censure Rep. King for his remarks. “He has become too comfortable with proudly insulting, disrespecting, and denigrating people of color,” Rep. Rush wrote in a statement. “As with any animal that is rabid, Steve King should be set aside and isolated.” Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH) also introduced a censure resolution of his own, calling Rep. King’s comments “abhorrent to the founding principles of our Nation and our rich history of diversity and tolerance of those whose backgrounds and beliefs have made America the envy of the world.” Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) said he would not censure Rep. King for his remarks, but would either move to reprimand or formally disapprove his comments.
Later Monday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Rep. King’s remarks had “no place in the Republican Party.” “Rep. King’s statements are unwelcome and unworthy of his elected position. If he doesn’t understand why ‘white supremacy’ is offensive, he should find another line of work,” McConnell wrote in a statement to The Washington Post. In an interview with the Times, King questioned how the terms “White nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization” became “offensive.” “Why did I sit in classes teaching me about the merits of our history and our civilization?” he said.