House of Representatives formally rebuked Iowa Republican Rep. Steve King on Tuesday, by approving a resolution of disapproval for remarks he made about white supremacy, Fox News informed.
Even King himself voted for the measure, though he strongly objected to GOP leaders stripping him of his committee assignments.
The final vote was 424-1, with only Democratic Illinois Rep. Bobby Rush voting against. Rush stated that he wanted to censure King instead.
“As with any animal that is rabid, Steve King should be set aside and isolated,” Rush said in introducing his censure resolution.
This resolution is another proof that the House “once again rejects White nationalism and White supremacy as hateful expressions of intolerance that are contradictory to the values that define the people of the United States.”
The condemnation of the remarks made by King, long a controversial figure in the House, has been swift and bipartisan.
“I think expulsion would be fine with me,” Democratic South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn, who drafted the disapproval measure, said after the vote.
“Serving as a member of Congress is a unique honor and Steve King’s comments regarding racism and white supremacy are disqualifying on their face,” Maryland Democratic Rep. John Delaney, who has announced a 2020 presidential run, added in a statement. “King is unfit for office and has no place in our political body or our national discourse. … It’s time for Steve King to go.”
King, who is a nine-term Iowa congressman, in explaining his vote against himself, said that he agrees with Clyburn that white supremacy is an evil that cannot be ignored.
“I want to compliment the gentleman from South Carolina for bringing up this resolution,” King said, referring to Clyburn. “It’s true and it’s just.” He added that he would have supported a stronger resolution of disapproval.
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