US House Passes Resolution Honoring Charlie Kirk, Democrats Say "Recklessness"

The House passed a resolution honoring conservative activist Charlie Kirk on Friday with overwhelming support, though a notable number of Democrats opposed it, revealing deep political divisions following his assassination.

The resolution, which celebrated Kirk's "life and legacy," garnered 310 votes in the Republican-led House. While 95 Democrats supported it, 58 voted against and 38 abstained by voting "present." Republicans had cautioned that no one should oppose the measure, but many Democrats felt Kirk's death had been politicized and the resolution elevated views they contested.

Charlie Kirk was fatally shot during an event at a US university on September 10.

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, who voted against the resolution, stated: "Today's resolution underscores the majority's recklessness by choosing to author this condemnation and honoring on a purely partisan basis. We should be clear about who Charlie Kirk was."

Speaker Mike Johnson defended the resolution, saying it contained "no partisan language" and there was "no excuse" for anyone to vote against it. "We are honoring someone who contributed greatly to the free marketplace of ideas and public discourse and who died in a disgraceful, horrific manner," Johnson told reporters.

The vote concluded a week of intensified tensions in Congress and across the nation as people grappled with Kirk's assassination and his legacy. Many conservatives have blamed liberals for creating a political atmosphere that contributed to his death, demanding more than mere condemnation and leaving little room for critique of his views. In the aftermath, backlash against such criticism has resulted in firings of teachers and journalists as conservative activists launched pressure campaigns.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized on Friday, "No single member of the House Democratic caucus, not a single member, condones political violence in America."

Nevertheless, Democrats who opposed the measure faced severe criticism. President Donald Trump questioned, "Who could vote against that?" regarding the resolution.

Earlier this week, the House narrowly rejected an attempt to censure Rep. Ilhan Omar following her criticism of Kirk's positions on gun ownership and race relations after George Floyd's 2020 death in Minneapolis. Trump subsequently called Omar "terrible."

Although Friday's resolution aimed to honor Kirk and denounce political violence, many Democrats objected to its language. The text described the Turning Point USA founder as someone "seeking to elevate truth, foster understanding, and strengthen the Republic," and standing "as a model for young Americans."

The resolution prompted intense debate among Democrats. While party leadership ultimately supported it, they did not pressure members to vote a specific way. Some lawmakers viewed it as a political maneuver designed to force them to endorse Kirk's views.

Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal explained in a statement, "This Republican resolution was designed as a political 'gotcha' — trying to force every member of Congress to lift up the views of Charlie Kirk rather than simply condemning his assassination. I cannot do that."

Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell of Michigan, who attended a Capitol vigil honoring Kirk earlier in the week, supported the resolution "because his horrific killing, and this volatile time require all of us to reject violence, hate, and anger without hesitation."

Many Republican legislators plan to attend Kirk's funeral in Arizona on Sunday. Speaker Johnson, who intends to be present, delivered a lengthy tribute on the House floor Thursday, saying the best way to honor Kirk was to "advance the principles that he advanced, and to adopt his approach."

National Republican Campaign Committee spokesperson Mike Marinella criticized Democrats as "so consumed by hatred and political violence that they couldn't even bring themselves to support a resolution condemning the assassination of Charlie Kirk."