1 of 2 | Some Democrats voted against a bi-partisan bill passed Friday in the House of Representatives to honor the late Conservative political activist Charlie Kirk. File Pool photo by Jim LoScalzo/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 19 (UPI) — With reluctant support from some Democrats, the U.S. House on Friday passed a bipartisan bill to honor the late conservative political activist Charlie Kirk.
The resolution passed with a vote of 310-58 Friday, with 95 Democrats voting in favor of the bill that was introduced by House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.
In addition to the 58 Democrats who opposed the resolution, 38 voted “present.”
Prior to the vote, Johnson told House members there was “no partisan language” in the resolution and “no reason” and “no excuse” for Democrats not to support it.
Several House Democrats called it a no-win situation, not wanting to be seen as supporting violence while at the same time disagreeing with Kirk’s hard-right views that many of his critics have called racist, misogynist and bigoted toward gay people.
“It’s a ‘damned if you do, damned if you don’t’ situation,” Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., said prior to the vote.
Kirk, 31, was shot and killed earlier this month while on stage during a speaking event at Utah Valley University.
This week, prosecutors in Utah charged alleged shooter Tyler Robinson, 22, with aggravated murder and several counts. His next court date is scheduled for Sept. 29.
Kirk “personified the values of the First Amendment, exercising his God-given right to speak freely, challenge prevailing narratives, and did so with honor, courage, and respect for his fellow Americans,” the resolution reads.
Top Democrats said the party would support the resolution but told individual House Representatives to vote with their conscience.
President Donald Trump has been a strong supporter of Kirk, calling the activist “legendary” following his death.
This week, Trump said he would move to designate Antifa as a terrorist organization, stemming from Kirk’s death, seemingly capitalizing on the fact that Robinson has been linked to the far-left political movement.
Following Kirk’s shooting, Trump also warned non-citizens about making negative comments about the late commentator.