House Condemns Socialism as Democrats Vote No

Long Island Democrats Laura Gillen and Tom Suozzi joined their party’s leadership in opposing a House resolution condemning socialism, while Republicans Nick LaLota and Andrew Garbarino voted for the measure Tuesday.

The House approved the resolution 220-192, with all Republicans and eight Democrats voting yes. Two Democrats voted present.

The resolution “condemns and denounces socialism in all its forms,” targets policies promoted by the Democratic Socialists of America and calls for enactment of the SAVE America Act, which would impose proof-of-citizenship requirements for voter registration and new restrictions on mail-in voting.

Among those voting no were House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Minority Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar.

Suozzi had joined Reps. Jared Moskowitz, Josh Gottheimer and Hillary Scholten in proposing an amendment stripping the SAVE America Act language from the resolution. Democrats argued Republicans deliberately combined the issues to force them to choose between condemning socialism and opposing the GOP election legislation.

Republicans said the vote put lawmakers on record as socialist candidates gain ground in Democratic primaries.

Western New York Republican Rep. Nick Langworthy delivered one of the strongest condemnations.

“Socialism is a corrosive ideology spreading through the Democrat Party and has no place in a nation that has served as the world’s beacon for freedom and opportunity over the last 250 years,” Langworthy said.

He warned that an ideology that “diminishes individual rights and empowers government control will destroy America as we know it.”

The eight Democrats voting for the resolution were Jared Golden, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Don Davis, Vicente Gonzalez, Henry Cuellar, Kathy Castor, Gabe Vasquez and Darren Soto.

Democratic Reps. Maggie Goodlander and Chrissy Houlahan declined to take either side, voting present.