House Condemns Socialism in 220-192 Vote

The U.S. House voted Tuesday to condemn socialism “in all its forms,” drawing a sharp party-line split as lawmakers head toward the November midterm elections.

House Resolution 1490 passed 220-192, with two members voting present and 18 not voting. All 211 Republicans who cast ballots voted for the measure. Eight Democrats joined them, while 192 Democrats voted no. The House's lone independent also voted yes.

Two Democrats — Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania— voted “present.”

The resolution, introduced Aug. 27 by Rep. Jeff Crank (R-CO), does more than condemn socialism. It also denounces the Democratic Socialists of America by name, states that American elections should be limited to American citizens and calls on Congress to enact the SAVE America Act.

The measure declares that the House:

“condemns and denounces socialism in all its forms, including the Democratic Socialists of America, and opposes the implementation of socialist policies in the United States.”

It also reaffirms support for “free, fair, and secure elections,” says American elections are for American citizens only and recommits the House to upholding the U.S. Constitution.

The resolution is nonbinding. It does not itself change federal law or impose new voting rules.

Still, the vote put House members on record on an issue Republicans have sought to make part of the midterm debate.

The resolution argues that socialist rule has repeatedly led to dictatorship, famine and mass killing. It also singles out positions held by the Democratic Socialists of America.

Among them, the resolution cites DSA support for allowing noncitizens and people in prison to vote. It also cites the group's calls to abolish the U.S. Senate, adopt ranked-choice voting nationwide and replace the nation's two-party political system.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) tied the two parts of the resolution together during the debate.

“Not only do we denounce socialism, but also the idea of people that aren't American citizens voting in our elections, because that's part of their platform,” Scalise said.

Eight Democrats ultimately joined Republicans in voting yes: Reps. Kathy Castor of Florida, Henry Cuellar of Texas, Don Davis of North Carolina, Jared Golden of Maine, Vicente Gonzalez of Texas, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, Darren Soto of Florida and Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico.

Democratic leaders argued that the resolution was not simply a vote on socialism.

House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar (D-CA) said his party supports capitalism.

“We're capitalists. We believe in a capitalist system and rules and laws,” Aguilar said.

Democrats objected in large part to language calling for passage of the SAVE America Act, an election bill they oppose. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) called that legislation “toxic voter suppression legislation.”

Houlahan offered a similar explanation for voting present. She said she agreed with condemning totalitarian regimes, supporting free elections and defending the Constitution, but objected to attaching those issues to the SAVE America Act.

“Instead of using this valuable time to get the real work of the people done (legislation to lower costs, properly fund the government, or help our families better care for one another) the Republican majority is focused on dishonest messaging bills – empty words designed to distract and divide us. Today, I refused to take the bait,” Houlahan said in a statement.

For Republicans, however, the vote provided a clear dividing line ahead of November.

The measure comes as democratic socialism has gained more attention in Democratic politics. H.Res. 1490 notes the November 2025 election of a Democratic Socialist as Mayor of New York City and says DSA-linked candidates have since run in more than 100 elections across at least half of the States.

Alabama's members largely followed the national party divide.

Republican Reps. Robert Aderholt, Barry Moore, Gary Palmer, Mike Rogers and Dale Strong voted for H.Res. 1490.

Rep. Terri Sewell, Alabama's voting Democratic member, voted against the resolution.

Democratic Rep. Shomari Figures did not vote.

The final roll call left little doubt about the partisan divide. Of the 203 Democrats who cast a yes, no or present vote, 192 opposed the resolution. Every Republican who voted supported it.

With the midterms little more than two months away, Republicans now have a recorded vote they can point to when arguing that much of the Democratic caucus would not support a resolution condemning socialism.

Democrats, in turn, argue that the vote was deliberately structured to force them to choose between condemning socialism and endorsing a Republican election bill they oppose.

Ultimately, H.Res. 1490 has put both positions on the congressional record.