House Democrats are discussing a forced vote to censure Rep. Randy Fine (R-Fla.) if Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) doesn't take action, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: Fine's recent comments on social media saying "the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one" have drawn intense backlash from colleagues, including one fellow House Republican.
- While the increasingly irreverent and partisan use of censure in recent years has frustrated lawmakers, some progressives say this is a rare case where use of the tool is genuinely warranted.
- "I usually hate censure resolutions against members, but I've never seen someone deserve one more," Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) said of Fine in a post on X.
- The earliest a censure vote could happen is when the House returns from its recess next week.
What we're hearing: Two Congressional Progressive Caucus members told Axios that the group is privately discussing the idea of forcing a censure vote.
- "I have raised with CPC leadership that Fine must be censured," Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) told Axios in a text message Tuesday.
- Khanna added: "We cannot stand idly by as Muslim Americans are described as less than dogs by a sitting member. Many of my colleagues feel similarly."
- Another senior CPC member, speaking on the condition of anonymity to share details of private conversations, confirmed to Axios it has "popped up" multiple times in the group's texts this week and "could likely happen."
Driving the news: Fine, who has positioned himself as one of Congress' most vocally anti-Muslim members, said Sunday in a post on X, "If they force us to choose, the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one."
- Fine said he was referencing a post from a pro-Palestinian activist saying, "Finally, NYC is coming to Islam. Dogs definitely have a place in society, just not as indoor pets. Like we've said all along, they are unclean."
- He has since doubled down on his post, saying in one interview: "Not only are we supposed to let all these people in, we're supposed to smile and submit while they redefine what it means to be in America."
Several Democrats publicly called for Fine to be censured in posts on social media, though none specifically said they plan to introduce a resolution or force a vote.
- Others said the onus falls on Johnson, urging the speaker to rebuke Fine and remove him from his committees.
- Spokespeople for Fine and Johnson did not respond to requests for comment on this story.
Yes, but: Not every Democrat is on board with a forced censure vote. Some argue it would simply play into Fine's hands.
- Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio), a swing-district moderate, told Axios a censure vote is "what he wants."
- "Ricky, or whatever his name is, just wants the attention. He says obscene, hateful things for attention," Landsman said, adding that "unfortunately, Congress has a few attention-seekers."
Between the lines: It is not clear whether Democratic leadership would support the effort, though House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) forcefully condemned Fine as a "disgrace" in a statement on Tuesday.
- "Republican leaders must hold this so-called Member of Congress accountable," Jeffries said. "House Democrats will not let the racist and bigoted behavior of Randy Fine go unchecked."
- He added: "Accountability is coming to all of these sick extremists when the gavels change hands in November, if not sooner."
Axios' Kate Santaliz contributed reporting
