A House resolution honoring slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk and condemning political violence passed overwhelmingly on Friday — but nearly 60 Democrats, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), voted against it.
The resolution, introduced by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), passed with strong bipartisan support in a 310–58 vote. All Republicans and 95 Democrats supported the measure, while 58 Democrats voted no and another 38 voted “present.”
What the Resolution Said
The resolution honors the “life, leadership, and legacy of Charlie Kirk, whose steadfast dedication to the Constitution, civil discourse, and Biblical truth inspired a generation to cherish and defend the blessings of liberty.”
It also explicitly calls on Americans of all backgrounds to:
Reject political violence
Recommit to respectful debate
Uphold American values
Respect one another as fellow citizens
During remarks on the House floor, Speaker Johnson praised Kirk not just for his political impact, but for his character:
“Charlie loved vigorous debate, but he loved people more. After political contests, he’d reach out a hand of friendship or offer an arm around the shoulder of someone he’d just defeated.”
Democrats Oppose — AOC, Omar, Tlaib Among Them
Despite the broad appeal of condemning political violence, a bloc of left-wing Democrats voted against the resolution. Among them:
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY)
Ilhan Omar (MN)
Rashida Tlaib (MI)
Pramila Jayapal (WA)
Jasmine Crockett (TX)
AOC defended her vote on X (formerly Twitter), blasting Kirk as a “racist” and rejecting the resolution’s praise of his character:
“His rhetoric and beliefs were ignorant and sought to disenfranchise millions of Americans — far from ‘working tirelessly to promote unity,’” she wrote. “We can condemn his horrific assassination and the scourge of political violence without uplifting these ideas.”
We should be clear about who Charlie Kirk was: a man who believed that the Civil Rights Act that granted Black Americans the right to vote was a “mistake,” who after the violent attack on Paul Pelosi claimed that “some amazing patriot out there” should bail out his assailant, and… https://t.co/zm6kxIxLZk
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) September 19, 2025
The comments echoed previous statements from other members of the far-left “Squad,” who have bristled at calls to honor Kirk, despite widespread condemnation of his murder.
Party Leaders Backed It — But Many Didn’t Follow
Notably, House Democratic leadership had agreed on Thursday to support the resolution. Nonetheless, nearly 100 Democrats either opposed or refused to vote yes. The 58 “no” votes mark one of the sharpest partisan splits on a resolution condemning political violence in recent memory.
By contrast, earlier this year, a resolution to condemn the assassination of former Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman — a Democrat — passed unanimously with full Republican support.
Senate, White House Move to Honor Kirk
The Senate also passed a separate resolution on Thursday, designating October 14 — Charlie Kirk’s birthday — as a “National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk.” That resolution passed unanimously.
A memorial service for Kirk is scheduled for Sunday in Glendale, Arizona. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other administration officials are expected to speak.
Speaker Johnson’s office called the House resolution “a crucial step toward national healing” — but the partisan divide in Friday’s vote made clear that even in mourning, political fault lines remain deeply entrenched.
The post AOC, Dozens Of House Democrats Vote Against Resolution Condemning Kirk Assassination appeared first on Real News Now.
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