New York House Democrats defend decision to duck vote on Charlie Kirk resolution

Five New York members of the U.S. House defended their decision to skip a vote on a resolution honoring conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a measure that would condemn violence and memorialize his life and legacy. The lawmakers — Reps. Ritchie Torres, Dan Goldman, Grace Meng, George Latimer, and Tim Kennedy — were recorded as not voting on the resolution.

Torres, who represents parts of the Bronx, said he could support condemning violence but cannot back a resolution that, in his view, would romanticize the legacy of someone who opposes the Civil Rights Act of 1965. He emphasized that he has red lines connected to civil rights and would not vote for something that endorses views he finds offensive.

Goldman argued that while he condemns political violence, he could not vote yes on a resolution that would celebrate views he believes are hateful, and he would not participate in an effort to use the death for political gain. He said he does not support Kirk’s hateful positions, but could not vote for a text that would promote them.

Latimer said Kirk had views he cannot accept, including criticisms of birth control and demeaning comments about Black women and affirmative action. He said he would not vote no, and that it was a tragedy, but the vote would amount to endorsing what he deems unacceptable and serving a political purpose.

Meng described political violence as unacceptable and called Kirk’s death a tragedy, but she said the GOP-backed resolution did not address everyone’s concerns. She noted that an alternate Senate-approved resolution would have been more comprehensive and said she continued to pray for Kirk’s family and those mourning his loss.

Kennedy had no immediate comment.

The resolution text described Kirk as a man of faith and a defender of the American founding, along with free speech principles, but it did not lay out a position on Kirk’s policy stances. In the broader House, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and several progressive Democrats voted against the Kirk resolution, while House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other longtime members voted aye along with all Republicans.

Republicans condemned the Democratic retreat, with National Republican Campaign Committee spokesman Mike Marinella saying Democrats are spineless for refusing to condemn political violence while honoring a figure who inspired many to defend freedom. The clash over Kirk’s legacy highlights the polarized climate surrounding memorials to controversial political figures.