Tensions erupt in House hearing as GOP advances anti-socialism resolution while Dems rage: 'Silly season'

House Republicans Advance “Anti‑Socialism” Resolution, Prompting Democratic Criticism

WASHINGTON—House Republicans moved a resolution condemning “socialism” on Monday, a step that has drawn sharp rebuke from Democrats and ignited a heated exchange on the House floor. The resolution, which also praises Republican‑led election‑security measures, will face a rule vote later Tuesday and a final vote that same evening.

The resolution was tabled in a meeting of the House Rules Committee, a body that determines whether a bill will move forward in the chamber. No Democrat voted in favor. Representative Jim McGovern (D‑Mass.) said the measure “does little to better the lives of Americans” and called it “nonsense.” “So you’re concerned about rising gas, or grocery prices? You know, don’t worry. Republicans in Congress are passing another non‑binding resolution condemning socialism,” he told reporters.

The language in the resolution goes beyond a simple condemnation. It lauds “common‑sense election‑integrity measures” such as proof of citizenship, photo identification, and database checks. It also calls for enforcement of the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act—legislation critics say is an attempt at voter suppression.

The discussion over the resolution’s definition of socialism erupted when Representative Joe Neguse (D‑Colo.) confronted Committee on House Administration Chairman Bryan Steil (R‑Wis.). Neguse asked whether President Donald Trump taking a 20 percent stake in Kroger grocery stores would be “socialist.” Steil replied he would need to see the details and that a national‑security rationale was required. “Some folks on your side of the aisle would like to have government‑run grocery stores. I think that’s nuts,” Steil said. Neguse shouted, “If the president of the United States announced that the United States government was taking an equity stake in grocery stores… I’d have to really see the details.”

The exchange was interrupted by Rules Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R‑N.C.), who chided Neguse for cutting in. Steil described the scenario as a “hypothetical” and said he would consider it only if it served a national‑security need. Neguse called Steil’s answer “helpful,” to which Steil retorted that it was “hypothetical.”

The resolution’s path to the floor is set for a “rule vote” on Tuesday afternoon, followed by a final vote in the evening, according to a provisional schedule obtained by Fox News Digital.

In a separate, parallel effort, House Republicans plan a constitutional amendment to cap the Supreme Court at nine justices. The amendment is scheduled for a vote Wednesday afternoon. The measure will require a two‑thirds majority to pass, a higher threshold than a simple majority. Progressives such as Senators Elizabeth Warren (D‑Mass.) and Ed Markey (D‑Mass.), along with former Vice President Kamala Harris, have called for expanding the Court to up to 13 seats.

“We’re fast‑tracking this amendment,” said House GOP Conference Chair Lisa McClain (R‑Mich.). “It’s time for the Democrats to pick a side. If you believe in socialism, say it loud and proud. I personally don’t believe in socialism; I like the fact that we have a democracy, a republic, a free society.” McClain’s comments echo a broader GOP push to force Democrats to take a clear stand on policy positions.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D‑N.Y.) sidestepped a question about whether he supports the anti‑socialism resolution. “I haven’t looked at that resolution, although it’s my understanding that the resolution elevates the so‑called SAVE America Act, which is just the ‘Suppress the Vote Act.’ And I’m not clear how many Democrats are actually going to support a resolution whose focus is on trying to rig the midterm election by elevating voter‑suppression legislation that Donald Trump has been trying to jam down the road to the American people for the last year,” Jeffries said.

The SAVE Act itself has passed the House but has yet to be taken up by the Senate. Democrats view the bill as an attempt to silence opposition. Representative Mary Gay Scanlon (D‑Pa.) said the legislation is a bid to “silence political opponents.” “We’re scaring people with yet another boogeyman and not doing anything about it,” she said.

On the other side, Representative Nick Langworthy (R‑N.Y.) warned that the rise of socialist ideas in his state could spread further. “I’ve seen firsthand the alarming rise of socialism. Families in western New York have watched one‑party rule in Albany pile on more taxes, more mandates, more government control while hardworking taxpayers are left to foot the bill,” Langworthy said. He added that the “socialist left” has moved “from the activist fringe into positions of real, serious political power.”

The resolution and the Supreme Court amendment reflect a broader Republican strategy to exploit the ideological rifts within the Democratic Party that have dominated the midterm election cycle. As House Republicans push these measures through the chamber, Democrats will face pressure to publicly take a position on both “socialism” and the size of the nation’s highest court. The coming votes on Tuesday and Wednesday will likely sharpen those divisions even further.