Republican Rep. Steve King of Iowa questioned on Wednesday whether there would be any population left on Earth if not for rape and incest.
“What if we went back through all the family trees and just pulled those people out that were products of rape and incest? Would there be any population of the world left if we did that?” he said in Urbandale, Iowa, according to video posted online by the Des Moines Register, which was first to report on the remarks Wednesday.
“Considering all the wars and all the rape and pillage that has taken place … I know I can’t certify that I was not a part of a product of that,” King said. “I’d like to think that every one of the lives of us are as precious as any other life,” he added.
The remarks came as King was defending not allowing exceptions for abortion in cases of rape or incest.
The Iowa Republican is a controversial and polarizing figure on Capitol Hill who has a track record of making racist comments that have generated backlash across the political spectrum.
In January, House Republicans stripped King of committee assignments, an action that took place after an interview in which he appeared to lament that the term “white supremacist” is considered offensive.
CNN has reached out to King’s office for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
The remarks quickly generated condemnation from Democrats, including JD Scholten, who announced earlier this month that he will once again try to unseat King by running against him in 2020.
In response to the comments, Scholten, who unsuccessfully ran against King in 2018, said the Iowa Republican is pushing a “selfish agenda,” and accused him of excusing violence.
“Our congressman continues to push his selfish agenda above the needs of #IA04 — this time he excuses violence. This isn’t what we stand for,” the Democratic challenger wrote, including a link to a fundraising page with the message.
Democratic presidential candidates were quick to denounce the congressman too, with New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand calling for his resignation.
“You are a disgrace. Resign,” Gillibrand tweeted at King on Wednesday.
“My friend @JDScholten is standing up and fighting back against Steve King, and he needs all of our help,” Beto O’Rourke tweeted, “because no matter where you live, you know there’s no place for Steve King’s racism, bigotry, and hatred in Congress.
“Iowans have long deserved better than Steve King and his hateful, insulting words. He should resign,” tweeted Democratic Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey.
