EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, was one of 58 Democrats who voted against a U.S. House resolution on Friday, Sept. 19 honoring conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated earlier this month in Orem, Utah.
The resolution, which praised the “life and legacy” of Kirk, passed the Republican-controlled House with 310 votes. Ninety-five Democrats supported the resolution, 58 voted against it and 38 voted “present,” effectively abstaining.
Another 22 Democrats did not vote on the resolution.
Escobar said: “(Friday’s) resolution honoring the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk memorializes him as someone who espouses ‘truth,’ including ‘biblical truth.’ The biblical truth ingrained in me does not promote bigotry or divisiveness that motivates hate, and I have found it deeply troubling to see millions in our country use ‘faith’ to justify attacks on fellow Americans.
“I cannot attach my name to this resolution,” she added.
Escobar added that she has “always condemned political violence in every and all forms, and I always will.” She cited the Aug. 3, 2019 Walmart massacre in El Paso and the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol in the wake of President Trump’s failed re-election bid in 2020.
She said that when Kirk was shot and before they knew whether he would survive, Escobar said she offered “prayers for him and his family.”
“I will continue to unequivocally condemn Charlie Kirk’s assassination, but in this moment where dissent is punished and voices of opposition are threatened, I cannot support a resolution that lionizes his words of hate. My own silence or compliance is not an option for me,” Escobar said.
U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez, D-New Mexico who represents the southern half of the state, was one of the Democrats who voted “present.”
New Mexico’s other two members of the U.S. House — Reps. Teresa Leger Fernandez and Melanie Stansbury — did not vote.
Here is Escobar’s entire statement:
“My Catholic faith has been central to my personal and political values. I do not wear my faith on my sleeve and rarely reference it, but I do what I can to follow the lesson of Matthew 25:40, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did to one of the least of my brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
“Today’s resolution honoring the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk memorializes him as someone who espouses ‘truth,’ including ‘biblical truth.’ The biblical truth ingrained in me does not promote bigotry or divisiveness that motivates hate, and I have found it deeply troubling to see millions in our country use ‘faith’ to justify attacks on fellow Americans.
“I cannot attach my name to this resolution.
“I have always condemned political violence in every and all forms, and I always will.
“When Charlie Kirk was shot last week – before we knew whether he would survive – I offered prayers for him and his family. Three months ago, and again yesterday, I signed on to resolutions condemning political violence of any kind. My own community on August 3, 2019, was tragically impacted by political, domestic violence, and on January 6, 2021, I was trapped in the House gallery as insurrectionists waving Trump and MAGA flags stormed the Capitol, assaulted police, and screamed ‘Hang Mike Pence.’
“There is no world that exists where I would applaud, celebrate, or condone violence, certainly not as an answer to our differences.
“I offer my sincerest condolences to Charlie Kirk’s loved ones and recognize his assassination as the horrific tragedy it is. I did not agree with his characterization of our fellow Americans, people who were not like him, but I supported his right to speak freely and openly, a right guaranteed by the First Amendment.
“I will continue to unequivocally condemn Charlie Kirk’s assassination, but in this moment where dissent is punished and voices of opposition are threatened, I cannot support a resolution that lionizes his words of hate. My own silence or compliance is not an option for me.”
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