This Thursday the House of Representatives voted for a resolution condemning the "horrors and failures of socialism" and although it managed to pass, 86 democrats opposed it and only 14 others voted "present," making it clear that they are unwilling to condemn a political philosophy that has caused the death and impoverishment of millions of people.
The resolution was sponsored by Cuban American Republican from Florida, Maria Elvira Salazar, and lists a series of facts that demonstrate that socialism is one of "the most destructive ideologies in world history."
The House will vote today on H.Con.Res 9 - a measure that denounces socialism and opposes the implementation of socialist policies in the U.S.
— Rep. Barry Loudermilk (@RepLoudermilk) February 2, 2023
Socialist policies have led to "famine and mass murders, and the killing of over 100,000,000 people worldwide," indicates the resolution which also highlights that socialist leaders have committed some of the "greatest crimes in history," recalling Joseph Stalin, Fidel Castro, Mao Zedong, and Vladimir Lenin, among others. The resolution passed with 328 votes, thanks to the unanimous support of Republican members and a group of Democrats.
The Democratic representatives who opposed the resolution justified their decision by saying that, although they oppose socialism, they do not agree with a measure that according to them seeks to cut social welfare programs. However, this is something Republicans have rejected for weeks.
"Despite my Democratic colleagues’ claims, there’s nothing in this resolution about entitlement programs or banning social services or anything of the like," said Republican Rep. Patrick McHenry.
Maria Elvira Salazar made it clear that the passage of this resolution would be a "bold statement that the People's House unequivocally denounces this cruel and unjust ideology" and would guarantee a commitment on behalf of the United States government to "never begin or normalize the implementation of socialist policies that inevitably lead to economic ruin and political authoritarianism."
🚨 #HappeningNow: WATCH the House of Representatives debate my and @SteveScalise's resolution, H. Con. Res. 9, denouncing the horrors and failures of socialism.
Read the text for yourself below, and let me know if it's "cOnTrOvErSiAl" like the @HouseDemocrats claim it is. pic.twitter.com/jrSCmFsEFb
— Rep. María Elvira Salazar (@RepMariaSalazar) February 2, 2023
For House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the fact that some Democrats chose not to condemn socialism is a "real concern." "One hundred democrats couldn't say socialism was wrong. That's a scary point of view," he said.
