<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Eight House Democrats voted with Republicans on September 1, 2026, to condemn "socialism in all its forms" and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). This vote highlights ongoing ideological divisions within the Democratic Party. </p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The resolution passed with a vote of 220-192. Nearly all Republicans and independent Rep. Kevin Kiley (CA), who caucuses with the GOP, supported the measure. The Democratic representatives who voted in favor included Kathy Castor (FL), Henry Cuellar (TX), Don Davis (NC), Jared Golden (ME), Vicente Gonzalez (TX), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA), Darren Soto (FL), and Gabe Vasquez (NM). </p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Democratic Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (PA) and Maggie Goodlander (NH) voted present, while 11 other House Democrats did not participate in the vote. </p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The majority of House Democrats opposed the resolution, with many citing its language that also supported the SAVE America Act, a voter ID bill associated with former President Donald Trump.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) criticized the resolution, stating that House Republicans are promoting voter suppression legislation instead of addressing the cost-of-living crisis faced by Americans. He indicated that his opposition was due to the inclusion of the SAVE Act. </p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The resolution, authored by Rep. Jeff Crank (R-CO), condemns socialism and specifically mentions the DSA, opposing the implementation of socialist policies in the United States. </p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Moderate Democrats, including Reps. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), Hillary Scholten (D-MI), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), and Tom Suozzi (D-NY), proposed an amendment to remove the endorsement of the SAVE Act and to include a discussion of socialism's failures in other countries. This amendment was not adopted by the House Rules Committee, which is controlled by the GOP.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This vote occurs against a backdrop of recent successes for socialist candidates, such as Melat Kiros in Denver and Darializa Avila Chevalier in New York, who have displaced long-standing Democratic incumbents. Additionally, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani won against the Democratic establishment in the previous year's mayoral election.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">These electoral victories have coincided with a rise in DSA membership, which reached 120,000 this year, making it the largest socialist organization in American history.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Republicans are focusing their messaging strategy for the 2026 elections on the rise of socialism. A memo from the House Republican Conference advised members to link socialism and Marxism to communism when critiquing Democrats, as they perceive communism to be more dangerous. </p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The memo stated, "Americans still hold communism as far more dangerous and alarming than socialism and Marxism. That is an important indicator for Members: do your best to connect all three together, because these government systems are fruit of the same poisonous tree."</p>