House Republicans turned a campaign-season vote into a political statement Tuesday, passing a resolution condemning socialism and endorsing President Donald Trump’s SAVE America Act ahead of the November midterm elections.
The resolution passed 220-192, with eight Democrats joining Republicans and two voting present. It denounces socialism “in all its forms” and opposes socialist policies in the United States.
Republicans have made opposition to socialism central to their midterm strategy as Democratic primary voters back candidates aligned with the democratic socialist movement. The resolution allows them to link those candidates to the broader Democratic Party while promoting the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of U.S. citizenship to vote in federal elections.
The bill remains stalled in the Senate.
Republicans Link Socialism to Voting Bill
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., tied the two issues together.
“Not only do we denounce socialism, but also the idea of people that aren’t American citizens voting in our elections,” Scalise said.
Republicans have pointed to recent Democratic primary victories by socialist-aligned candidates as evidence that the party is moving left. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., is among the few sitting members of Congress who identify as democratic socialists.
Democrats Call Vote Political
Democrats said they oppose socialism but objected to pairing the resolution with the voting bill.
House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., said Democrats had introduced a separate resolution condemning socialism without the SAVE Act language.
“We’re capitalists. We believe in a capitalist system and rules and laws,” Aguilar said, accusing Republicans of using the measure as a political talking point.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., called the SAVE Act “toxic voter suppression legislation” and said Republicans should focus instead on affordability and the cost of living.
Procedural Fight Highlights Divisions
The resolution nearly stalled after several Republican hardliners opposed a procedural rule needed to advance it and other legislation. Their objections centered largely on a separate short-term government funding bill.
Reps. Jared Golden, D-Maine, and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., helped Republicans overcome the procedural hurdle, drawing criticism from Democratic leaders.
Eight Democrats ultimately supported the resolution: Kathy Castor, Henry Cuellar, Don Davis, Jared Golden, Vicente Gonzalez, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Darren Soto and Gabe Vasquez. Chrissy Houlahan and Maggie Goodlander voted present.
The vote showed that opposition to socialism itself crosses party lines. The sharper divide involved the decision to attach the SAVE Act.
Election-Year Messaging
The resolution does not change federal law. Its main significance is political, giving Republicans a formal vote to cite during the campaign while putting Democrats on record on socialism and voting rules.
Republicans are emphasizing ideological issues, while Democrats are focusing on housing, health care, household costs and voting access.
With the SAVE Act stalled in the Senate, both parties are likely to continue using high-profile votes to define their opponents and energize their bases ahead of November.
