In the wake of the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, Sen. Ashley Moody[1] signed on to be co-sponsor of a resolution that honors the memory of the founder of the Turning Point USA[2] movement.
Moody announced she is in line with the resolution[3] that designated Oct. 14 as a “National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk” that was approved by the Senate and U.S. House of Representatives.
The resolution calls for reflection on Kirk’s life following his killing during an interaction with students at Utah Valley University. The resolution states:
“Whereas Charlie Kirk was a champion of free speech, civil dialogue, and faith; Whereas Mr. Kirk consistently promoted the values of individual liberty, open debate, the importance of civic engagement, and the defense of constitutional principles; Whereas Charlie Kirk was recognized as one of the leading voices among young leaders in the United States, creating opportunities for civic education, fostering youth leadership, and promoting principles of liberty and democracy across the United States.”
While the measure was approved by consent unanimously in the Senate, there were those who didn’t support it in the House.
The resolution, which praised “the life and legacy” of Kirk, passed[4] the Republican-controlled House with 310 votes in favor. While 95 Democrats supported the resolution, 58 voted against it and 38 voted “present,” effectively abstaining. Republicans had warned ahead of the vote that no one should oppose the measure, but many Democrats said they felt Kirk’s death had been politicized and the resolution elevated views they disagreed with.
“(Friday’s) resolution underscores the majority’s recklessness by choosing to author this condemnation and honoring on a purely partisan basis,” said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, of New York, a high-profile Democrat who voted against the resolution. “We should be clear about who Charlie Kirk was.”
Kirk’s assassination at a Sept. 10 appearance on the Utah college campus has set off a fierce debate about violence[5], decency and free speech[6] in an era of deep political division. The shooting also has stirred fear among some Americans that Trump is trying to harness outrage over the killing as justification to suppress the voices[7] of his critics and political opponents[8].
There was a large memorial service for Kirk set for Sunday at a stadium outside Phoenix.
Moody’s co-sponsorship of the resolution was also co-sponsored by other senators including Rick Scott, Tommy Tuberville, Jim Risch, Bill Cassidy, Mike Crapo, Dan Sullivan, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Bernie Moreno, Pete Ricketts, Rand Paul, Josh Hawley, Lindsey Graham, Mike Lee, John Kennedy, Marsha Blackburn, Tim Sheehy, Ted Cruz, James Lankford, Steve Daines, Markwayne Mullin, and Deb Fischer.
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Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.
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References
- ^ Ashley Moody (www.moody.senate.gov)
- ^ Turning Point USA (tpusa.com)
- ^ resolution (www.congress.gov)
- ^ passed (apnews.com)
- ^ fierce debate about violence (apnews.com)
- ^ free speech (apnews.com)
- ^ suppress the voices (apnews.com)
- ^ critics and political opponents (apnews.com)