House Democratic leaders are expected to support a GOP resolution condemning political violence and honoring Charlie Kirk when it comes to a vote Friday.
Turning Point USA founder Kirk, 31, was assassinated Sept. 10 at an Utah university campus.
On Thursday morning, top Democratic leaders told lawmakers they will support the resolution. However, they will not push others to vote in favor of the resolution, The Hill reported.
Democratic lawmakers did not always align with Kirk’s ideologies.
Many saw Kirk as a divisive figure who was aligned with of President Donald Trump.
The GOP resolution, sponsored by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), honors Kirk’s life and work. It praises him as someone who engaged in “respectful, civil discourse” and “worked tirelessly to promote unity without compromising on conviction.”
The resolution also condemns political violence in “all forms.” It calls on all Americans “to reject political violence, recommit to respectful debate, uphold American values, and respect one another as fellow Americans.”
This vote is tricky for Democrats, the outlet pointed out.
If they vote against the resolution, they will be attacked by Republicans for failing to condemn political violence across the board.
A favorable vote may be seen as backing a person whose political views they deemed toxic and divisive.
It is not immediately clear how many Democrats will vote for or against the measure.
“By voting for this resolution, we’re making a strong statement on behalf of the Congress,” Johnson said in a press release. “We’re telling our constituents, for one thing, that political violence, but also the glorification and celebration of that violence, are profoundly wrong, and that goes against everything we stand for as Americans.”
“The best way to honor the work and the legacy and the ministry of Charlie Kirk is to do what he did, and that is to advance the principles that he advanced, and to adopt his approach. What I mean by that is the principles that Charlie advanced were the good things Scripture talks about,” he added.
