Democrats mull censuring Burchett over Harris ‘DEI hire’ comments

Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-Calif.) is considering introducing a measure to censure Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) after he called Vice President Harris a “DEI hire” — an abbreviation for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) — his office confirmed to The Hill on Wednesday.

Following President Biden’s decision to suspend his reelection campaign, and Harris’s subsequent announcement of her own presidential campaign, Burchett took to the social platform X on Monday to express his disdain for the Democrats. 

“The incompetency level is at an all-time high in Washington. The media propped up this president, lied to the American people for three years, and then dumped him for our DEI vice president,” Burchett posted.

The comments drew swift backlash from legislators across both sides of the aisle. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) called the attacks “stupid” while Congressional Black Caucus Chair Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.) said in a press conference Tuesday that the DEI comments about Harris are “disgusting and offensive.”

Cardenas’s office said plans for a censure motion are in their early stages, and specifics have not been hashed out.

Burchett said Wednesday that he regrets the remarks, which were widely denounced as racist, but stood by them, adding “it was the truth.”

Politico reported Tuesday that Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) is also mulling backing a censure motion. The Hill has reached out to her office for comment.