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Steve King: Speaker Never Apologized for ‘Indelicate’ Insult

Rep. Steve King
Rep. Steve King

House Republicans had some tough discussions at their annual retreat this week, but at least one thing was left unsaid: “Sorry.”  

Rep. Steve King said Speaker John A. Boehner has not apologized for reportedly calling him an “asshole” while speaking with Democratic members, despite the fact the two Republicans spent the past three days together in Cambridge, Md., discussing policy at the GOP’s House Conference retreat.  

King said he does not doubt the speaker made the remark for one simple reason: “The speaker didn’t deny it,” he said.  

“We have not had that discussion. I don’t expect we will,” the Iowa Republican said when Roll Call asked whether there has been an apology. “That’s decorum on the floor of the House that shouldn’t have happened.”  

Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, wrote about the remark in an article he penned for Texas Monthly magazine . It apparently came in response to King’s comment that some DREAMers are drug smugglers with “calves the size of cantaloupes,” a remark Boehner denounced.  

“Another Texas Democrat and I were standing a few feet away, and as the speaker passed us we thanked him for denouncing King’s offensive comments. He slowed his stride and then paused to turn toward us. ‘What an asshole,’ he said. My thoughts exactly, Mr. Speaker,” Castro wrote.  

“I expect the press and the public will hold folks accountable who use that indelicate language,” King said.  

A Boehner spokesman declined to comment.

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