House vote on socialism

In a largely symbolic move that highlighted the ideological fault lines in American politics, the U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly on Thursday, February 2, 2023, to approve a resolution “denouncing the horrors of socialism.” The measure, H.Con.Res. 9, was an early priority for the new Republican majority in the 118th Congress and passed with significant bipartisan support, despite revealing deep fissures within the Democratic party.

All voting Republicans backed the resolution, and they were joined by dozens of Democrats. The final tally was 328 to 86, with 14 members voting "present." Notably, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) was among the 86 Democrats who voted in favor of the measure, a decision that drew praise from moderates but sharp criticism from the party's progressive wing.

What the Resolution Says

House Concurrent Resolution 9 explicitly condemns socialism by invoking some of the 20th century’s darkest chapters. Its text declares that “socialist ideology necessitates a concentration of power that has time and again collapsed into Communist regimes, totalitarian rule, and brutal dictatorships.” It further asserts that socialist policies have led to famine and mass murder throughout history.

The resolution’s preamble lists a grim history of atrocities committed under socialist or communist regimes, including:

• The Holodomor famine in Ukraine under Joseph Stalin (1932-1933), which caused millions of deaths.
• Mao Zedong’s “Great Leap Forward” in China, a campaign that resulted in a famine killing tens of millions in the late 1950s.
• The genocide carried out by Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, which killed up to 2 million people in the 1970s.
• Human rights abuses and economic devastation under authoritarian governments like Fidel Castro’s in Cuba and Nicolás Maduro’s in Venezuela.

The resolution concludes with a clear stance, stating that Congress “denounces socialism in all its forms and opposes the implementation of socialist policies in the United States of America.”

Official Resolution Excerpt (H.Con.Res. 9): “[Congress] denounces socialism in all its forms, and opposes the implementation of socialist policies in the United States of America.” – Text of House Concurrent Resolution 9, 118th Congress

A Bitterly Divided Vote

While the resolution passed by a wide margin, the official roll call vote revealed a stark split within the Democratic Party.

• Republicans: 219 members voted "yes."
• Democrats: 109 members voted "yes," 86 voted "no," and 14 voted "present."

Democrats who supported the measure were largely moderates, particularly those from swing districts or areas with large Cuban- and Venezuelan-American populations who fled socialist regimes. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) argued it was important to “stand firmly against extremism on either side.”

Conversely, those voting "no" were mainly from the Congressional Progressive Caucus. High-profile members like Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) argued the resolution was a bad-faith attempt to conflate their democratic socialist policies—such as universal healthcare—with brutal dictatorships.

A third group of Democrats voted "present," refusing to take a side. Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) blasted the resolution as a "stunt" and a distraction, stating, "I'm not here to defend dictators or despotism – I'm here to call out a stunt."

Republican Motives: Highlighting a Wedge Issue

For the new Republican House majority, the resolution served as a strategic tool to highlight a core GOP talking point and create a political wedge. By forcing a vote, GOP leaders aimed to put Democrats on the record and expose internal divisions.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) praised the resolution's passage and criticized Democrats who did not vote in favor, suggesting it was “stunning” that dozens of members “couldn’t even say they oppose socialism.”

The resolution's sponsor, Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), a Cuban-American whose family fled Fidel Castro’s regime, delivered an impassioned floor speech. "Socialism is a lie," she declared, urging her colleagues to educate young Americans on its devastating consequences. Other Republicans, including House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), pointed to Venezuela’s ongoing economic collapse as a modern “cautionary tale.”

Democratic Division and Debate

Many Democrats who voted "yes" still bristled at the resolution’s broad condemnation of “socialism in all its forms,” fearing it could be weaponized against popular domestic programs. During the debate, several Democrats noted that conservatives have historically labeled Social Security and Medicare as "socialist." Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) warned the resolution could serve as a pretext for future cuts to these programs.

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) argued that the resolution failed to distinguish between oppressive totalitarianism and the democratic socialism practiced in allied nations like Scandinavia, which combine free markets with robust social safety nets. He also pointed out the hypocrisy of denouncing one political ideology's atrocities while ignoring those of far-right fascism.

The debate echoed a message frequently used by former President Donald Trump. In his 2019 State of the Union address, Trump’s declaration that “America will never be a socialist country” became a rallying cry for the GOP, setting the stage for actions like this resolution.

Progressive Outrage and Intra-Party Tensions

The vote sparked a backlash among progressives, who saw it as a direct attack on their policy goals. The decision by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to vote "yes" was particularly galling for left-wing activists.

This tension was highlighted by a planned meeting between Jeffries and a group of New York progressives, including Zohran Mamdani, a State Assembly Member and member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). In a widely circulated tweet, Mamdani sarcastically noted Jeffries’ vote: “86 Democratic ayes, including, you guessed it, Hakeeeeeeem the dreeeeeeeeam.”

The tweet underscored the irony perceived by the left: the House Democratic Leader was backing a resolution demonizing the very ideology championed by the local officials he was about to meet.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also delivered a forceful speech against the measure, accusing Republicans of cynically weaponizing the term "socialism" to attack popular programs and scare voters, while ignoring the threat of far-right authoritarianism.

What's Next for the Resolution?

As a concurrent resolution, H.Con.Res. 9 requires approval from the Senate to become an official expression of Congress. However, it is unlikely to be brought to a vote in the Democratic-controlled Senate, meaning it will almost certainly go no further.

Even so, the political ramifications are already clear. Republicans will likely use the vote in the 2024 campaign cycle to brand opposing Democrats as radicals. Meanwhile, the debate has energized progressives to better define democratic socialism in an American context, pointing to successful programs like Medicare and labor rights as examples of positive government action.

Conclusion

The House vote to denounce socialism was more than just a symbolic gesture; it was a clear illustration of the polarized state of American politics. While the resolution itself has no legal power, the debate it ignited over the meaning of "socialism" exposed deep divisions, not just between the two parties, but within the Democratic caucus itself. As the 2024 election season approaches, the rhetoric surrounding socialism is sure to intensify, continuing to serve as a key battleground in the ongoing fight for the nation's political soul.