McCollum Vote on H.Con.Res 9, Denouncing the horrors of socialism
Mr. Speaker, let's be clear about what this resolution is. A complete waste of time. This resolution is not about Stalin. It is not about Mao. It is not about Castro. It is not even about condemning the human rights abuses that many communist dictators throughout history have committed. Instead, the Republican majority has thrown together a poorly written, ill-conceived resolution so sloppy that it condemns socialism in all its forms. That includes important allies and friends of the United States that have mainstream socialist political parties like Albania, Australia, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Luxembourg, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, and Sweden. With this resolution, House Republicans are sending a message to these nations that we condemn the domestic political process within their nations. That is outrageous.
At a time of crisis for the world when Vladimir Putin is waging the largest war in Europe in over seventy years, Congress should be working to strengthen the relationships with our fellow democracies, not passing poorly written messaging bills that will alienate our friends and allies. As Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, I know just how crucial it is to maintain relationships with our NATO allies. This weekend I will join the Minnesota National Guard in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Norwegian Reciprocal Troop Exchange—the longest-running military partnership between two nations. Make no mistake, this resolution is not just an insult to the Norwegian government, but an insult to the Norwegian Home Guard and Norwegian Armed Forces who sacrifice to defend their nation from the Russian threat.
The Republican majority was even offered the opportunity to soften this resolution before bringing it to the floor. House Democrats offered amendments in the Rules Committee that would clarify the resolution's intent, including language stating that nothing in the resolution should be seen to condemn long-time Federal programs like Medicare, Social Security or VA Healthcare that impact all our constituencies. Another amendment included language condemning fascism and the mass murder of six million Jewish people by the Nazi regime. Unfortunately, all these amendments were rejected by Republicans.
Mr. Speaker, it is telling that a month into the 118th Congress, House Republicans have nothing to offer the American public but to waste their time with political stunts like this.
It should be rejected, and I yield back.