The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) called for Rep. Steve King Steven (Steve) Arnold KingGOP leader: 'There is no place for QAnon in the Republican Party' Loomer win creates bigger problem for House GOP Win by QAnon believer creates new headaches for House GOP MORE (R-Iowa) to be removed from his committee assignments Saturday after remarks he made about white supremacy earlier this week.

CBC chairwoman Rep. Karen Bass Karen Ruth BassPatients are dying unnecessarily from organ donation policy failures Hispanic caucus report takes stock of accomplishments with eye toward 2021 Bogeymen of the far left deserve a place in any Biden administration MORE (D-Calif.) linked King's comments to President Trump Donald John TrumpHR McMaster says president's policy to withdraw troops from Afghanistan is 'unwise' Cast of 'Parks and Rec' reunite for virtual town hall to address Wisconsin voters Biden says Trump should step down over coronavirus response MORE and asked for him to be deposed.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Like Donald Trump,” she said, “Steve King has sought again and again to give comfort to white supremacists, something that should never be allowed in the halls of Congress or the Oval Office."

Bass characterized King's remarks as "racist" and the Iowa Republican needed more than just condemnation.

“If Republicans really believe these racist statements have no place in our government, then their party must offer more than shallow temporary statements of condemnation. Instead, they must actually condemn Mr. King by removing him from his committee assignments so that he can no longer affect policies that impact the very people he has made it clear he disdains."

"Anything less than these substantive actions is another tacit acceptance of racism from the Republican party,” Bass added.

Inbox: Black Caucus Calls For Steve King To Be Removed From Committee Assignments Following Racist Statements pic.twitter.com/UYioMa2mc6 — Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) January 12, 2019

King experienced amplified blowback after comments he made in a Thursday interview with The New York Times where he questioned why terms like "white supremacist" have been deemed racist.



“White nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization — how did that language become offensive?” he asked in the Times interview.



King attempted to defuse the controversy on Friday, saying on the House floor that he regrets “the heartburn” his remarks have caused in Congress and Iowa.

The comments have received bipartisan backlash over the last few days.

Both of Iowa's Republican senators, Chuck Grassley Charles (Chuck) Ernest GrassleySenate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden Senators offer disaster tax relief bill Trump spikes political football with return of Big Ten season MORE and Joni Ernst Joni Kay ErnstSenators offer disaster tax relief bill Conservatives see glaring omission on Trump's Supreme Court shortlist Senate Republicans scramble to contain fallout from Woodward bombshell MORE, condemned the questions as "offensive."

Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiMcConnell focuses on confirming judicial nominees with COVID-19 talks stalled Overnight Defense: Top admiral says 'no condition' where US should conduct nuclear test 'at this time' | Intelligence chief says Congress will get some in-person election security briefings Pelosi must go — the House is in dire need of new leadership MORE (D-Calif.) suggested that some punitive action may be taken against King for the remarks.