Sen Chuck Grassley was criticized after making a remark about a Korean-American judge’s ethnic background in a statement that was taken as playing into racial stereotypes about Asians.
During a Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday for Judge Lucy Koh, who is nominated to join a federal appeals court, Mr Grassley congratulated Ms Koh and “your people” for supposedly having a strong work ethic.
“What you said about your Korean background reminded me a lot of what my daughter-in-law of 45 years has said: ‘If I’ve learned anything from Korean people, it’s a hard work ethic. And how you can make a lot out of nothing,’” he said, before adding: “So I congratulate you and your people.”
A spokesman clarified in a statement that Mr Grassley’s daughter-in-law is also Korean-American.
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