Scoop: Dems eye forced vote to censure Randy Fine
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."