CBC And Democrats Oppose Charlie Kirk Decision

[ad_1] by Daniel Johnson September 20, 2025

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), one of many Democrats who voted no, famous who Kirk really was in opposition to the determine that the Republican Social gathering aimed to lionize.

Within the aftermath of the killing of white nationalist Charlie Kirk, the Home Republicans, led by Home Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) put forth a five-page decision co-sponsored by 165 of his colleagues. The decision praised Kirk as a “brave American patriot” who wished to “elevate reality, foster understanding, and strengthen the Republic.”

In accordance with The Guardian, the Home minority chief, Hakeem Jeffries, knowledgeable Democrats in a closed-door assembly that management would vote in favor of the decision, however the vote because it regards different members, was left as much as particular person members. Within the vote, 95 Democrats, together with Rep. Jeffries, in the end voted together with the Republicans.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), one of many Democrats who voted no, famous who Kirk really was in opposition to the determine that the Republican Social gathering aimed to lionize by the decision in a press release.

“We ought to be clear about who Charlie Kirk was: a person who believed that the Civil Rights Act that granted Black Individuals the correct to vote was a ‘mistake,’ who after the violent assault on Paul Pelosi claimed that ‘some wonderful patriot on the market’ ought to bail out his assailant, and accused Jews of controlling ‘not simply the universities – it’s the nonprofits, it’s the flicks, it’s Hollywood, it’s all of it.’ His rhetoric and beliefs had been ignorant and sought to disenfranchise tens of millions of Individuals – removed from ‘working tirelessly to advertise unity’ as asserted by the bulk on this decision,” Rep. Ocasio-Cortez famous.

Along with the Consultant from New York, the Congressional Black Caucus additionally famous its disagreement with the vote by way of a Sept. 19 press launch. CBC Chair Yvette D. Clarke echoed a few of AOC’s considerations in her personal assertion.

“We strongly disagree with most of the beliefs Charlie Kirk promoted: together with his perception that the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which ended racial segregation, was a mistake; his denial that systemic racism exists; his promotion of the Nice Substitute principle; and his offensive claims about Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Michelle Obama, and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee missing enough cognitive means. The decision launched within the Home to honor Charlie Kirk’s legacy isn't about therapeutic, reducing the temperature of our political discourse, and even guaranteeing the protection of members of Congress, workers, and Capitol personnel. It's, sadly, an try and legitimize Kirk’s worldview — a worldview that features concepts many Individuals discover racist, dangerous, and essentially un-American,” Clarke mentioned.

She concluded, “Within the wake of this tragedy, President Trump has senselessly threatened to go after the political left. The American persons are bored with this type of cynical politics. It’s disheartening to see a tragedy used to additional divide the nation and suppress sincere debate. Because the conscience of the Congress, the CBC has a accountability to talk out in opposition to this on behalf of our communities, and we're calling on every of our colleagues who share our values to observe go well with. Sufficient is sufficient.”

Right now, I voted in opposition to the Charlie Kirk Decision.

Whereas I condemn his violent homicide, this decision sought to raise Charlie Kirk as a task mannequin.

I couldn't assist in good conscience.

Learn my assertion beneath: pic.twitter.com/LLou7Xq8on

— Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (@BennieGThompson) September 19, 2025

Just like the Congressional Democrats, Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson launched his personal assertion noting that though he disagrees with the violent homicide of Kirk, he couldn't, in good conscience, assist the decision.

“I condemn – unequivocally and within the strongest phrases – the violent homicide of Charlie Kirk. I'm praying for his household and for our Nation as we navigate the aftermath of final week’s horrific taking pictures. Nobody ought to be killed for what they are saying or what they imagine, and any declare on the contrary betrays the values upon which this Nation was based,” Rep. Thompson mentioned.

He continued, “The very fact is Charlie Kirk’s rhetoric was divisive, disparaging, and too typically rooted in grievance. The beliefs he evangelized normalized fringe views on race, intercourse, and immigration. Sadly, his rhetoric resurrected harmful prejudices of a darkish previous. I've spent my total profession – from the height of the civil rights motion till immediately – advocating for equal rights for everybody, no matter race, intercourse, or faith. I can't in good conscience honor somebody who demeaned ladies, immigrants, and Black Individuals, and who even questioned the very basis of civil rights progress on this nation. This decision is deliberately written to be divisive, and I have to oppose it.”