House GOP leader vows action on King

WASHINGTON — The House Republican leader said Sunday that he will meet with Rep. Steve King of Iowa this week to discuss King’s future and role in the party and promised action after the Iowa congressman’s recent comments in defense of white supremacy.

“That language has no place in America. That is not the America I know and it’s most definitely not the party of Lincoln,” said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., referring to President Abraham Lincoln. “Action will be taken. I’m having a serious conversation with Congressman Steve King.”

King was quoted in The New York Times last week as saying, “White nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization — how did that language become offensive?” King has insisted he is an advocate for “Western civilization,” not white supremacy or white nationalism.

He said it was a “mistake” to use phrasing that “created an unnecessary controversy” and denied being racist.

McCarthy, who appeared on CBS’ Face the Nation, told host Margaret Brennan off camera that he is reviewing whether King, now serving his ninth term, should keep his committee assignments, according to CBS’ transcript of the broadcast.

King serves on the Agriculture, Small Business and Judiciary committees, and is chairman of Judiciary’s subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said “we’ll be acting on that” when she was asked about King last week. She did not elaborate.