Moulton Explains 'No' Vote on H.Res.719

WASHINGTON, D.C. - "I strongly condemn political violence in every form, and I mourn with each and every one of the family members and loved ones that has suffered because of political violence, including the Kirk family. People should not be killed because of their political beliefs. That's not how democracies work.

But I cannot vote for a resolution that attempts to rewrite history and turn Charlie Kirk into something he was not. Today's resolution describes Kirk as a model of honor, unity, and respect for all of his fellow Americans. That is very different from the truth.

Charlie Kirk built his career mocking the pain of Americans who disagreed with him. He ridiculed survivors of political violence when they were Democrats, including Paul Pelosi after his attempted murder. He trafficked in spreading racist conspiracies like the Great Replacement Theory. He spread Islamophobic tropes about Muslims, made transphobic attacks on young people, regularly demeaned LGBTQ+ Americans. He has joked about political assassinations, claimed that women in the military weaken our armed forces, and spread misinformation that further fueled the flames of division that are threatening our country today.

These are not the actions of someone who 'worked tirelessly to promote unity' or who 'personified the values of the First Amendment with respect to his fellow Americans,' as this resolution claims. They are the actions of someone who used his platform to divide and demean.

I will always support efforts to condemn political violence, protect free speech, and extend condolences to grieving families, but Congress should not canonize a political influencer who regularly sowed division and hatred through political discourse. To do so would be a disservice to the truth, to other victims of political violence whom Kirk himself mocked, and to the values of civility and respect that this resolution claims to champion.

That is why I voted no on this resolution."

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