Should the House Formally Reject Rep. Steve King’s Comments on White Nationalism & White Supremacy? (H. Res. 41)

What is H. Res. 41?

(Updated February 5, 2021)

This resolution would condemn comments made by Rep. Steve King (R-IA) and express that the U.S. House of Representatives rejects white nationalism and white supremacy as being contrary to American values. King was quoted as asking: “White nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization — how did that language become offensive?”

The resolution goes on to cite the FBI’s definition of white supremacy and white nationalism, describe crimes perpetrated by white supremacists and white nationalists. Further, the resolution quotes condemnations of white supremacy made by historical American leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Abraham Lincoln, and Ronald Reagan.

As a simple resolution, this bill wouldn’t advance beyond the House if passed.

Argument in favor

In light of Congressman Steve King’s remarks questioning why ‘white supremacist’ and ‘white nationalist’ is controversial language, the House should condemn his remarks along with white supremacy and white nationalism in general.

Argument opposed

The House doesn’t need to take the time to formally condemn white supremacy and white nationalism given that countless members of Congress are speaking out against King’s comments individually.

Impact

Congressman Steve King (R-IA); and the House of Representatives.

Cost of H. Res. 41

This bill would have no impact on the federal budget.

Additional Info

In-Depth: House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-SC) introduced this resolution to condemn Rep. Steve King’s (R-IA) comments on white supremacy and white nationalism and offered the following floor statement:

“I rise to address what I will call a tale of two kings. One, a member of this body, who wondered out loud to the New York Times why the terms white nationalism and white supremacy are offensive. I would say to my colleague that the terms are offensive because the concepts are evil. And we have been counseled by Edmond Burke that, “all that is required for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” I have just introduced a resolution to express this august body’s disapproval of Mr. King’s comments and condemnation of white nationalism and white supremacy in all forms.

So today I denounce the words of Representative Steve King, and I do so invoking the words of another King, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who, if he had been allowed to live, would be celebrating his 90th birthday on tomorrow. Dr. King counseled that, "we are going to be made to repent, not just for the hateful words and deeds of bad people, but for the appalling silence of good people. I call on my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in breaking the deafening silence and letting our resounding condemnation be heard.”

Rep. Steve King (R-IA) voted in favor of this resolution and offered the following statement in response to the condemnations against him:

“One of my quotes in a New York Times story has been completely mischaracterized. Here’s the context I believe accurately reflects my statement. In a 56 minute interview, we discussed the changing use of language in political discourse. We discussed the worn out label “racist” and my observation that other slanderous labels have been increasingly assigned to Conservatives by the Left, who injected into our current political dialog such terms as Nazi, Fascist, ‘White Nationalist, White Supremacist,— Western Civilization, how did THAT language become offensive? Why did I sit in classes teaching me about the merits of our history and our civilization?’...just to watch Western Civilization become a derogatory term in political discourse today. Clearly, I was only referencing Western Civilization classes. No one ever sat in a class listening to the merits of white nationalism and white supremacy.

When I used the word ‘THAT’ it was in reference ONLY to Western Civilization and NOT to any previously stated evil ideology ALL of which I have denounced. My record as a vocal advocate for Western Civilization is nearly as full as my record in defense of Freedom of Speech.”

House Republicans have removed Rep. King from his committee assignments over his comments, and some GOP lawmakers have called for him to resign.

Media:

• House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-SC) Press Release
  
• Rep. Steve King (R-IA) Press Release
  
• NPR