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The House of Representatives voted 220-192 to adopt a messaging resolution condemning socialism, setting up an election-year vote designed to put Democrats in a difficult position as far-left candidates win Democratic primaries across the country.
Some Democrats have expressed support for condemning socialism. However, Republicans added a call to pass the highly controversial voter-ID bill known as the SAVE America Act, pushing away some moderate Democrats who might otherwise support the resolution.
Several candidates endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America have defeated more moderate Democrats in primaries this campaign cycle. Republicans are seeking to capitalize on what they describe as the Democratic Party’s leftward shift as the GOP’s own brand declines in the polls.
Republicans link socialism resolution to voter-ID bill
“We’re going to draw another contrast this week with a vote on the House floor to say not only do we denounce socialism, but also the idea of people that aren’t American citizens voting in our elections,” House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., said in a Tuesday press conference before the vote. “All of that is on the ballot this November.”
Democrats condemned the measure as an election-year stunt intended to create campaign talking points. The resolution is nonbinding and does not carry the force of law.
“What Republicans are advocating also has the SAVE Act, and that’s why Democrats carry forward an alternate resolution,” Rep. Pete Aguilar of California, chair of the House Democratic Caucus, said Tuesday. “What Republicans are seeking to do here is to just add another talking point.”
The measure nearly failed during a preliminary rule vote earlier Tuesday after some conservative Republicans opposed it. It advanced after Democratic Reps. Jared Golden of Maine and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington voted for the rule, which also included a measure benefiting the lobster fishing industry.
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