


A resolution honoring the life of Charlie Kirk passed the House Friday during a fight to fund the government, splitting the Democratic caucus.
The resolution passed 310-58, with Republicans voting for it as Democrats were all over the board, between opposition, support, and 38 others voting present.
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House Democratic leadership told the caucus in a meeting on Thursday that they would be supporting the resolution, but that their members could vote with their “conscience.” The party has been split in the handling of the Kirk assassination as the party moves to condemn political violence, while some in the party do not agree with the language describing Kirk in the bill.
“Empathy is not a celebration. I empathize with his family and his children, but he was a racist, hateful person,” said Shri Thanedar (D-MI) of Detroit. “I represent the blackest city in America and he was very, very racist toward black people, black women, and I cannot in good conscience celebrate him.”
The resolution was introduced by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) to honor the life of Kirk and condemn the act of political violence. It praises him as a “courageous American patriot” and said he was “always seeking to elevate truth, foster understanding, and strengthen the Republic.”
The National Republican Congressional Committee has already begun running ads slamming Democrats who don’t plan to support the resolution, citing a Democratic member telling Axios they are being “set up.” Another Democratic lawmaker told the Washington Examiner that “everyone feels very differently” and that the vote will be “all over the board.”
“The modern Democrat Party is simply too radical and unhinged to condemn a politically motivated assassination and honor a man and father of two whose only crime was loving America, winning the debate in the proper fashion, and inspiring others to do the same,” NRCC Spokesman Mike Marinella wrote in a press release.
CHARLIE KIKR PUTS HOUSE DEMOCRATS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Kirk, 31, was assassinated last Wednesday at an event at Utah Valley University. The Republican was the co-founder of Turning Point USA, a conservative organization that was instrumental in rallying young voters to the Republican Party and for Trump.
Prosecutors charged Tyler Robinson, 22, with Kirk’s murder and say he’s been linked to the crime through a DNA match on the gun and text messages.