The Pennsylvania House Rules Committee voted unanimously on Tuesday to advance House Resolution 676 censuring Republican State Representative Aaron Bernstine.
The resolution, introduced by House Speaker Joanna McClinton, stems from allegations that Bernstine directed homophobic slurs at Democratic Representative Malcolm Kenyatta at a Harrisburg bar in September, as well as a prior incident involving a social media video.
While the committee's vote moves the measure forward, the full 203-member House did not take a final vote on Tuesday, leaving the formal censure pending ahead of a scheduled legislative session on November 19.
Bernstine has denied making the homophobic remarks, though he previously stepped down from his four House committee assignments.
Bernstine was re-elected to the PA House of Representatives for District 8 last week.
