Congressman Steve King

It was reported in the Des Moines Register and on his own website, that Congressman Steve King from Iowa's fifth district has accused Secretary of State Chet Culver, candidate for governor, of violating state law by posting voting materials on the official Secretary of State website in languages other than English. On his website, he calls on Culver to remove the alleged violation of law and explain that he understands Iowa laws. Perhaps Congressman King should pull his head out of his ass and actually read the law he authored as a state senator.

The law that Steve King refers to is Chapter 1.18 of the Iowa Code. The law does state that English is the language of government of Iowa. Stating:

Except as otherwise provided for in subsections 4 and 5, the English language shall be the language of government in Iowa. All official documents, regulations, orders, transactions, proceedings, programs, meetings, publications, or actions taken or issued, which are conducted or regulated by, or on behalf of, or representing the state and all of its political subdivisions shall be in the English language

Now, if King would read subsection 4, he would see:

4. This section shall not apply to:
...
h. Any language usage required by or necessary to secure the rights guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America or the Constitution of the State of Iowa.

Now, as the Constitution of the State of Iowa states that

[e]very citizen of the United States of the age of twenty-one years, who shall have been a resident of this state for such period of time as shall be provided by law and of the county in which he claims his vote for such period of time as shall be provided by law, shall be entitled to vote at all elections which are now or hereafter may be authorized by law

it seems to me that voting is a constitutional right, and therefore the English-only requirement does not apply. And while Congressman King may have written the law, it is not his job to interpret it!