The House Rules Committee advanced a resolution to condemn socialism on Monday. No Democrats voted in favor of moving the measure forward during the meeting. Rep. Jim McGovern called the bill “nonsense” and argued it did little to better the lives of Americans. This vote sets the stage for a full House test on Tuesday afternoon.
Tensions flared as Republicans and Democrats clashed over the definition of socialism. The committee chair stated that some Democrats would like to see government-run grocery stores. He added that he thinks that idea is “nuts.” The debate centered on whether a government equity stake in a business counts as socialism.
Rep. Joe Neguse challenged Chairman Bryan Steil over a hypothetical scenario involving President Trump. Neguse asked if Steil would view a 20 percent stake in Kroger as socialism. Steil replied he would “want to see the details” before making a judgment. Neguse then yelled, “Oh, you’d want to see the details,” as the men spoke over one another.
Steil insisted that Neguse was posing a hypothetical without a national security focus. He stated he would only support such a move if a national security rationale existed. Neguse called the response “helpful,” while Steil quipped, “It’s a hypotherical. So we’re entering silly season.” The Rules Committee Chairwoman eventually chided Neguse for interrupting Steil during the exchange.
McGovern asked the committee if they were worried about rising gas or grocery prices. He told the room not to worry about Republicans passing another non-binding resolution. The resolution now moves to a vote on the full House floor. Per Fox News, the final vote on the resolution itself is scheduled for Tuesday evening.
Republicans are using this measure to put Democrats on the record regarding their party’s socialist insurgency. The move comes as the left faces its own inter-party civil war during the midterm election cycle. Democrats in the House have frequently opposed GOP-led measures in the past. This specific vote highlights the sharp divide between the two parties on economic control.
The resolution aims to clarify where Democrats stand on the Democratic Socialists of America agenda. Party leaders have previously rejected the DSA agenda, calling its members a “pack of fools.” The debate shows how both sides view the role of government in the private sector. Steil argued that the resolution helps clarify these distinctions for voters.
A House-wide test known as a “rule vote” will take place on Tuesday afternoon. This step is required before the full House can vote on the resolution itself. The provisional schedule obtained by Fox News Digital outlines this timeline clearly. Democrats have already signaled they will oppose the measure when it reaches the floor.
The outcome of this vote could influence the messaging for the upcoming midterm races. Both parties are accusing one another of using tactics to shape the field ahead of Election Day. The debate over socialism remains a central theme in the current political landscape. Steil and Neguse will likely continue to clash on these definitions as the session continues.
