“One of the great things about America is we’ve been unified by a common language. That common language, of course, is English.” This was one of King’s comments during a press conference discussing a bill that would make it so that all federal communications would be in English. This means, of course, things like voter registration forms and ballots. In an interview with the Huffington Post, he said the following:

“The argument that diversity is our strength has really never been backed up by logic,” King told The Huffington Post. “It’s unity is where our strength is. Our Founding Fathers understood that. Modern-day multiculturalists are defying that.”

The Iowa Republican called it “offensive” that anyone would say his bill has racist overtones, particularly when talking about a society “as inclusive as America.”

“They should be specific about that rather than just hurl that out there,” he said of people who make racist claims about his bill. “That divides people.

Okay, King. I’ll be specific. Saying that you must speak English to get federal resources even if you’re a citizen, is racist. Saying that our country is not founded on multiculturalism is ignorant–and racist.

During the press conference, Rep. King also said, “Our language is getting subdivided by some forces of the federal government. It is time to speak with a common voice.”