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House panel advances anti-socialism resolution as Democrats call it a distraction
ReHouse panel advances anti-socialism resolution as Democrats call it a distraction
The House Rules Committee advanced a GOP resolution condemning socialism, with no Democratic support. The move is part of a broader Republican strategy to force Democrats to take a public stance on socialist policies and Supreme Court expansion ahead of the midterm elections.
House Republicans moved a step closer to forcing Democrats to take a public stance on socialism, as the Rules Committee advanced a non-binding resolution condemning the ideology on Monday. The measure passed without a single Democratic vote in favor, setting up a full House vote expected Tuesday evening.
The resolution is part of a broader Republican strategy to highlight divisions within the Democratic Party over its progressive wing, which has embraced socialist policies and calls to expand the Supreme Court. Republicans are also preparing a separate vote on a constitutional amendment to cap the number of Supreme Court justices at nine, a direct response to progressive proposals to add seats to the bench.
During the committee meeting, tensions flared when Rep. Joe Neguse, D-Colo., pressed Committee on House Administration Chairman Bryan Steil, R-Wis., on whether a hypothetical government equity stake in a grocery store would constitute socialism. Steil said he would need to see the details, prompting Neguse to accuse him of inconsistency. Steil responded that the scenario was hypothetical and that some Democrats support government-run grocery stores, which he called "nuts."
Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., dismissed the resolution as "nonsense," arguing that Republicans should focus on rising gas and grocery prices instead of symbolic measures. "Don't worry. Republicans in Congress are passing another non-binding resolution condemning socialism," he said sarcastically.
The resolution also praises Republican-backed election integrity measures, including the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would require proof of citizenship for voter registration. Democrats have criticized the legislation as voter suppression. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Pa., called the resolution an attempt to "silence political opponents."
House GOP Conference Chair Lisa McClain, R-Mich., said the goal is to put Democrats on the record. "Do you want to pack the Supreme Court or not? It's really simple. It's a yes or no vote," she said. "Two — do you believe in socialism? If you do, you should say it loud and say it proud."
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., declined to say whether he supports the anti-socialism resolution, instead focusing his criticism on the SAVE Act, which he called the "Suppress the Vote Act." He said the resolution is an attempt to "rig the midterm election" by elevating voter suppression legislation.
The House-wide rule vote on the resolution is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, with the final vote expected Tuesday evening. The Supreme Court amendment vote is expected Wednesday afternoon. The amendment would require a two-thirds majority to pass, a higher bar than the simple majority needed for the resolution.
Several prominent progressives, including former Vice President Kamala Harris and Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Ed Markey, D-Mass., have called for expanding the Supreme Court to as many as 13 seats. Republicans have seized on those calls as evidence of a leftward shift within the Democratic Party.
