The House approved a resolution Friday to honor Charlie Kirk, a week after the conservative activist was assassinated at an event in Utah.
Notably, Democratic leaders and nearly 100 rank-and-file Democrats joined Republican to adopt the measure on a 310-58 vote.
The ceremonial measure, introduced by Speaker Mike Johnson, condemns the murder and praises Kirk as a “courageous American patriot … who boldly lived out his faith with conviction, courage, and compassion.” It also “calls upon all Americans — regardless of race, party affiliation, or creed — to reject political violence, recommit to respectful debate, uphold American values, and respect one another as fellow Americans.”
“It would be it would be great for the country if Republicans and Democrats could stand together to call out political violence,” Johnson said before the vote.
But there were clear concerns inside the Democratic ranks with some of the measure’s language praising Kirk “as a model for young Americans across the political spectrum” who was known for “engaging in respectful, civil discourse across college campuses, media platforms, and national forums, always seeking to elevate truth, foster understanding, and strengthen the Republic.”
Fifty-eight Democrats opposed the resolution; another 38 voted present and 22 didn’t vote at all. (Only three Democrats had failed to vote on the measure taken up immediately prior to the Kirk resolution.)
Rep. Marc Veasey (D-Texas) introduced an alternative measure this week condemning political violence in general, citing Kirk’s murder and last year’s assassination attempts against President Donald Trump, as well as attacks targeting Democrats and the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. The measure garnered 118 cosponsors, all Democrats, as of Friday.
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