Reps. Figures, Sewell Respond to House Resolution Honoring Charlie Kirk
Both of Alabama’s Congressional Democrats voted against the resolution, have been criticized by ALGOP Chair Wahl for their votes
U.S. Representatives Shomari Figures (D-AL2) and Terri Sewell (D-AL7) were among two of 58 House Democrats who voted against a resolution honoring conservative influencer Charlie Kirk last Friday.
The measure, introduced by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), passed Friday on a 310–58 vote, with 38 Democrats voting “present,” according to the House clerk’s roll call. Reps. Figures and Sewell joined the small bloc of Democrats—composed of members of the Far Left “Squad”—opposing the resolution, breaking with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Minority Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, who all supported it.
In a statement to ALPolitics.com today, Rep. Figures said:
"As I did on the day this incredibly unfortunate assassination happened, I strongly condemn the assassination of Charlie Kirk. It was completely unjustifiable and unacceptable, and my prayers are with his family.
"House Republicans could have offered the Senate resolution that passed unanimously, but chose not to. But as a Black representative of a historical civil rights district in Alabama, I cannot support a resolution that includes language that honors the 'leadership and legacy' of a man whose ideology and words consistently demeaned, disrespected, and ridiculed Black people.
"People died in Alabama in pursuit of equal treatment in the form of a Civil Rights Act that he called "a mistake." He referred to Martin Luther King, Jr. as an awful person and repeatedly insulted the intelligence of Black women, said that Black people were better during Jim Crow, and even used his platform to encourage an "amazing patriot" to bail out of jail the man who broke into the home of a member of Congress and beat her husband nearly to death with a hammer.
"While I fully support his right to say all of those things, and condemn his death in the strongest possible terms, what I cannot do is support a resolution honoring that type of legacy of inflammatory, divisive, and harmful rhetoric."
Rep. Sewell released a statement on Friday immediately after the vote, saying:
“I condemn the horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk in the strongest possible terms. There should be no place for political violence in America. All Americans—including Charlie Kirk—should have the right to express their views, however controversial, without fear of violence. I mourn with his wife and children during this painful time.
“If condemning violence was the purpose of today’s resolution, it would have my full support. That’s why I signed on to a resolution led by Rep. Marc Veasey condemning Charlie Kirk’s assassination and all political violence. I would have also supported the Senate resolution which passed unanimously earlier this week. In a clear effort to further divide Americans and Members of Congress, unfortunately, the resolution House Republicans brought to the floor today included divisive language glorifying the viewpoints Charlie Kirk espoused.
“Charlie Kirk called the passage of the Civil Rights Act a mistake. He has repeatedly disparaged the accomplishments of African Americans and insulted our intelligence. He said ‘Blacks were actually better off in the 1940s… They committed less crimes.’ As a Black woman and the representative of our nation’s civil rights district, I cannot vote to celebrate an ideology that runs counter to the values that so many of our fellow Alabamians fought, bled, and died for.
“To be clear, political disagreements never warrant political violence, and I wholeheartedly condemn his murder and all acts of violence in recent years and throughout our history. We can, at the same time, condemn political violence without abandoning our obligation to speak out against ideas that conflict with our values. I call on all our political leaders—including President Trump and Vice President Vance—to stop the inflammatory rhetoric and turn down the temperature.
“My prayers are with the Kirk family and all Americans at this difficult time.”
Both Democrats were harshly criticized by Alabama GOP Chairman John Wahl in a statement released Saturday. Wahl said:
“It’s disappointing that the Democratic representatives from Alabama could not come together in honoring the life of Charlie Kirk. Charlie Kirk loved this country and his generation. He dedicated his career to giving a voice to young conservatives across this nation. Even if someone disagreed with his political views, his tragic death should be an opportunity for all of us to come together in condemning violence and recognizing the value of every human life. This should not be about partisanship; it is about respect, compassion, and our shared humanity.”
“This tragedy highlights the division and discord that is becoming all too common in American politics. We should be able to put politics aside when it comes to condemning political violence. I truly wish that we could’ve all come together in recognizing this for what it was: a useless, senseless act of violence that everyone—regardless of political party—should be able to condemn. Failing to do so only deepens the divide in this country.”
“I am thankful for our Republican delegation, who are standing with Charlie’s family during this difficult time. Their votes reflect the values of Alabama and the belief that we must stand united against all violence. I want to encourage every elected official, on both sides of the aisle, to remember that our first responsibility is to the American people—to represent their values, to show compassion in times of tragedy, and to stand against hatred in all its forms. That is how we begin to heal as a nation.”
While most of their colleagues in both parties united in honoring Kirk, Alabama’s two Democratic representatives chose partisanship over compassion. Their votes stand in stark contrast to Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Minority Whip Katherine Clark, and Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar, all of whom voted in favor of the resolution.
“Political violence has no place in America,” Wahl concluded. “When someone is murdered for their beliefs, we should be able to set politics aside and stand together as a nation. Sadly, Representatives Sewell and Figures failed to do that.”
Charlie Kirk, age 31, was the Founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent conservative author, podcaster, activist, commentator and influencer. He was assassinated on September 10 during a Turning Point event at Utah Valley University. In addition to the House resolution, the Senate unanimously approved a resolution establishing October 14, 2025 as a National Day of Remembrance for Kirk.
