WASHINGTON — The House passed a bipartisan resolution condemning the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and honoring “his life and legacy” after he was shot and killed at Utah Valley University last week.
More than 90 Democrats joined all Republicans in supporting the measure on Friday morning, resulting in a 310-58 final vote. Another 38 Democrats voted “present” while 22 chose to abstain. The vote comes just days after the Senate unanimously voted to approve a resolution, introduced by Utah Sen. Mike Lee, to condemn his death in what GOP leaders have insisted should be a bipartisan effort.
“We passed a resolution to honor the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk, my late friend, a friend of so many in this chamber, and we called out political violence in America,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told reporters on Friday.
Johnson pointed to the final line in the resolution that called on all Americans to “reject political violence, recommit to respectful debate, uphold American values, and respect one another as fellow Americans.”
The resolution also expresses sympathy to Kirk’s wife and children and also commends the FBI and Utah law enforcement for their “tireless efforts in finding the suspect responsible” for the shooting.
However, some Democrats took issue with the House version of the Kirk resolution as it included language praising the activist’s character as someone with “steadfast dedication to the Constitution, civil discourse, and Biblical truth inspired a generation to cherish and defend the blessings of liberty.”
The resolution comes just days before Kirk’s family will hold a memorial service for the conservative activist in his home state of Arizona, which is expected to attract a large number of high-profile politicians and celebrities.
Both President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance will be in attendance and are expected to deliver remarks.
Other speakers include White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Donald Trump Jr., Tucker Carlson and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller.