House Democrats Reject Resolution Condemning Socialism

<p>The House of Representatives passed a resolution condemning socialism on Tuesday evening, with all but eight House Democrats voting against it. The resolution passed 220 to 192, with all "no" votes coming from the left, including senior Democratic leaders: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass., and House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, D-Calif.</p><p>The legislation affirmed support for election integrity and called for the passage of the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which nearly all Democrats oppose.</p><p>Two House Democrats, Jared Golden, D-Maine, and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., provided critical votes to help the GOP overcome a procedural hurdle, which allowed the vote to take place. This procedural vote passed narrowly, 209 to 208.</p><p>All Republicans voted in favor of the resolution condemning socialism and affirming election integrity. Golden and Gluesenkamp Perez were among the Democrats who joined the GOP in that vote, along with Reps. Don Davis, D-N.C., Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, Kathy Castor, D-Fla., Gabe Vasquez, D-N.M., and Darren Soto, D-Fla. Reps. Maggie Goodlander, D-N.H., and Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., voted "present."</p><p>Socialism has been a significant topic in the 2026 midterm election season, with Democrats facing challenges from candidates linked to the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Republican leaders have warned that a Democratic victory could lead to increased influence from the socialist left.</p><p>Republican Study Committee Chairman August Pfluger, R-Texas, stated, "Socialism has failed everywhere it's been tried without exception. It's a dangerous ideology that creates misery for the very people it claims to help." Rep. Jeff Crank, R-Colo., who led the resolution, emphasized that it condemns socialism in all its forms and reaffirms commitment to the Constitution.</p><p>Democrats criticized the resolution as a symbolic gesture that does not address pressing issues facing Americans. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., remarked on the focus of Republicans on a non-binding resolution instead of addressing economic concerns.</p><p>The vote would not have been possible without the support from Golden and Gluesenkamp Perez, with Golden not seeking re-election and Gluesenkamp Perez being considered a vulnerable candidate. Jeffries noted he was not informed of their decision to assist the GOP.</p><p>Five House Republicans voted against the resolution: Reps. Pete Sessions, R-Texas; Chip Roy, R-Texas; Ralph Norman, R-S.C.; Clay Higgins, R-La.; and Andy Harris, R-Md. Their dissent was a protest against leadership decisions regarding a short-term funding bill aimed at preventing a government shutdown.</p><p>Golden is also co-leading a bill to pause new federal restrictions on certain American lobster and crab fishing industries, which would have been affected if the procedural vote had failed.</p>