House Democratic leaders appear to have convinced rank-and-file lawmakers to accept Tuesday’s vote to disapprove of comments made to the New York Times by Steve King, R-Iowa, rather than seek a more serious vote to censure the veteran lawmaker.
Reps. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, and Bobby Rush, D-Ill., introduced separate resolutions calling for a vote to censure King for comments he made questioning why “white nationalist” and “white supremacist” were offensive.
But both lawmakers have agreed to refer the censure resolutions to the Ethics Committee, which essentially stops the House from having to vote on the matter.
A censure is rare and serious. It’s just a step below voting whether to expel a member.
King said his comments were taken out of context.
On Wednesday, Rush brought up his resolution to censure King.
Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., called for the matter to be referred to the ethics panel, and it was agreed to without objection from Rush.
Ryan earlier in the day agreed to refer his resolution to the ethics panel as well.
Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., earlier this week stripped King of his committee assignments.
The House approved a resolution of disapproval of King’s comments on Tuesday.
Both parties are wary of taking serious punitive action against each other out of a fear of partisan retaliation.
