House vote condemning socialism reveals problems for Democrats

If Republicans wanted to set a political trap for Democrats by forcing a vote on a bill condemning socialism, they dropped the ball. Last Tuesday, the Republican-controlled House voted to approve a resolution condemning socialism, with eight Democrats crossing the aisle to back the measure.

Those eight Democratic Representatives — Kathy Castor (D-Fla.), Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas), Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), Darren Soto (D-Fla.), Jared Golden (D-Maine), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.), Don Davis (D-N.C.) and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) — should be commended.  

Although purely symbolic, the vote could have provided an important bipartisan rejection of socialism and socialist policies that are at odds with the U.S.’s longstanding commitment to capitalism, individual liberty and democratic institutions. The vote comes as democratic socialist candidates are winning primaries in heavily Democratic districts and are likely to enter Congress in January.  

But while forcing politically charged votes before an election is nothing new, Republicans turned what could have been a meaningful statement into an overtly partisan maneuver. Attached to the resolution — which “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” — was unrelated language calling to enact the SAVE America Act. 

That act, which President Trump has repeatedly tried to force through the Senate even though Republican senators say the votes are not there, is widely opposed by Democrats. The inclusion of the SAVE Act language alienated Democrats who may otherwise have supported a clean resolution, squandering an opportunity for a more bipartisan rebuke of socialism.  

A group of moderate Democrats — including Reps. Josh........

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