Boehner Slams Steve King's 'Hateful' & 'Ignorant' Remarks About Illegals

House Speaker John Boehner on Thursday ripped fellow Republican Rep. Steve King for "hateful" and "ignorant" comments he made recently about illegal immigrants.

The Iowa congressman told Newsmax last week that most so-called "DREAMers" -- illegals brought to the United States when they were very young --  are essentially drug mules.

"For everyone who's a valedictorian," King said, "There's another 100 out there that weigh 130 pounds and they’ve got calves the size of cantaloupes because they're hauling 75 pounds of marijuana across the desert. Those people would be legalized with the same act."

King's comments garnered widespread attention this week after they were read aloud during a House panel.

"There's no place in this debate for hateful or ignorant comments from elected officials," Boehner told reporters Thursday. "Earlier this week Representative Steve King made comments that were I think deeply offensive and wrong. What he said does not reflect the values of the American people or the Republican Party. We all need to do our work in a constructive, open and respectful way."

King has been at the forefront of the fight with other conservative Republicans to block any immigration reform they say will mean amnesty for illegals.

Boehner's remarks Thursday reiterated his and other Republicans' condemnation of King this week. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) called King's words "inexcusable."

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