Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Monday rebuked 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) for a series of remarks that many have denounced as racist.

McConnell's denunciation of King comes as House Democrats considered sanctions for King, who last week questioned why the terms "white supremacist" and "white nationalist" are considered "offensive."

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"I have no tolerance for such positions and those who espouse these views are not supporters of American ideals and freedoms,” McConnell said in a statement to The Hill.

“Rep. King’s statements are unwelcome and unworthy of his elected position," McConnell added. "If he doesn’t understand why ‘white supremacy’ is offensive, he should find another line of work.”

He commended other senators who have spoken out against King, including Sens. 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 (R-Iowa), 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 (R-Iowa), and Tim Scott (R-S.C.).

McConnell's was first reported by The Washington Post.

McConnell's statement makes him the highest-ranking Republican have spoken out against King since the controversial New York Times interview was released.

“White nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization — how did that language become offensive?” King said during the interview. “Why did I sit in classes teaching me about the merits of our history and our civilization?”

King has long faced accusations of racism and bigotry, which were reignited last year when conservative policy magazine The Weekly Standard posted audio of the Iowa Republican apparently referring to Mexican immigrants as "dirt."

Two House Democrats on Monday unveiled resolutions to censure King over the comments.

"He has become too comfortable with proudly insulting, disrespecting and denigrating people of color," Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), who was the first to announce a measure, said on Monday. "As with any animal that is rabid, Steve King should be set aside and isolated."

House GOP leaders have not yet made final decisions on committee assignments for multiple members, but King, who served as chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice in the last Congress, could stand to serve as its ranking minority member.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) on Sunday vowed that "action will be taken" against King.

"I'm having a serious conversation with Congressman Steve King about his future and role in this Republican Party," McCarthy told CBS's "Face the Nation." "I will not stand back as a leader of this party, believing in this nation that all are created equal, that that stands or continues to stand and have any role with us."