Congressman Steve King Draws Fire For Immigrant Drug Smuggling Quote

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Iowa Congressman Steve King, R-Kiron, known for his outspoken statements on conservative issues made headlines Tuesday for saying last week that some undocumented immigrants were drug smugglers.

“For everyone who’s a valedictorian, there’s another 100 out there who weigh 130 pounds — and they’ve got calves the size of cantaloupes because they’re hauling 75 pounds of marijuana across the desert,”  King said in an interview with Newsmax last week that has gone viral.

The congressman's latest statement on immigration reform has drawn ire from both Democrats and Republicans.

“It is offensive. And it is beneath the dignity of this body” - Rep. Joe Garcia, D-FLA., said according to several media outlets including the Washington Post.

Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio; and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., said King's statements were “wrong” and “inexcusable,” according to a report on Politico.com.

King began representing Ames in January as part of the new 4th Congressional District. Jim Mowrer, a Democrat from Boone who hopes to unseat King, is asking people to sign a petition to ask King for an apology.

“This type of rhetoric is offensive and dangerous, and King should apologize,” the petition reads.

What's your reaction to King's statement? Tell us in the comments.

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