The lone Democrat who voted against denouncing Rep. Steve King sees censure effort fizzle

WASHINGTON – The lone lawmaker who prevented the House of Representatives from unanimously denouncing Rep. Steve King, due to worries that the measure didn't go far enough, saw his censure effort against the Iowa Republican fizzle on Wednesday.

Rep. Bobby Rush, a civil rights leader and Democrat representing Illinois, attempted on Wednesday, the day after the House voted 424 to 1 to condemn King, to bring up a censure resolution over King's comments about white nationalism.

His resolution, which included King's remarks questioning why terms like "white supremacists" were offensive and other controversial comments over the years about immigrants, including his comparison of undocumented people to livestock, was read aloud on the House floor. But the measure was moved to the House Ethics Committee, meaning the committee could examine the measure and lawmakers wouldn't vote on it.

"Representative Steve King of Iowa, by his despicable conduct, has dishonored himself and brought discredit to the House and merits the censure of the House for the same," part of the resolution read.

A censure is the second most serious punishment in the House, just behind being expelled from serving in Congress. A censure is basically a formal and public rebuke meant to embarrass, as the lawmaker being targeted would have to stand on the House floor and listen as the censure was read aloud before his colleagues.

While Rush would have liked the House to take a more aggressive route to punish King, he told USA TODAY that it was probably best so it didn't cause division within the party.

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Rush would have to appeal the decision thus, putting him at odds with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Right now, Rush said, Democrats are concerned with the government shutdown and being "divided over the issue" wouldn't "serve the nation well."

But, he said he could bring the censure back for consideration if King has another slip-up.

"I reserve the right to revive my motion if Steve makes one more utterance of bigotry, and racism and misogynism," Rush told USA TODAY. "If he makes one more utterance, then I will revive my motion."

It's unclear whether the House Ethics Committee, which is not known for its speed or aggressiveness, will take up the issue.

On Tuesday, King supported efforts that denounced his rhetoric and said his "white supremacist" comments in a New York Times interview had not come across as he intended.

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King said he agreed with South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn's resolution, titled "Rejecting White nationalism and White supremacy." The resolution invoked King’s comments and condemned such words as “hateful expressions of intolerance that are contradictory to the values that define the people of the United States.”

"I regret that we are in this place," King said, adding that he rejects such ideologies. "I agree with every word that you have put in this. It's an honest and a direct resolution put together to address a subject that has been too long before the public dialogue in this country.

"I want to ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, let's vote for this resolution. I'm putting up a yes on the board here," King said.

Contributing: Eliza Collins, Nicole Gaudiano

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The lone Democrat who voted against denouncing Rep. Steve King sees censure effort fizzle