By Nolan D. McCaskill
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. House of Representatives on Friday passed a resolution honoring conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, who was killed last week while addressing a college audience in Utah.
The Republican-controlled chamber voted 310-58 to approve the measure, which honors Kirk’s life and legacy while also condemning political violence, including Kirk’s assassination.
Kirk’s killing last week while he addressed a college audience in Utah has sparked a political furor across the U.S., with President Donald Trump and his allies vowing a crackdown on left-leaning groups that they portray as bent on undermining national unity.
There is no evidence the 22-year-old Utah man who killed Kirk with a single rifle shot had organized outside help in plotting his attack.
The House vote divided the chamber’s Democrats. Some have objected to Kirk’s past statements on transgender rights and other hot-button issues, while others said they should not fall into a political trap by voting against a measure that condemns political violence.
In the end, 95 Democrats joined 215 Republicans to vote for the resolution, while 58 voted against it and 38 voted “present.”
(Reporting by Nolan D. McCaskill; editing by Andy Sullivan)
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