This resolution formally denounces socialism based on its historical association with totalitarianism, mass death, and economic failure, affirming the foundational principles of individual liberty and property rights.
Maria Salazar
Representative
FL-27
This Concurrent Resolution formally denounces the ideology of socialism based on its historical outcomes. It asserts that socialist principles have consistently led to totalitarian regimes, mass atrocities, and economic collapse worldwide. The resolution contrasts these failures with the founding principles of the United States, concluding with a statement opposing the implementation of socialist policies domestically.
| Party | Total Votes | Yes | No | Did Not Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Democrat | 213 | 86 | 98 | 29 |
Republican | 219 | 199 | 0 | 20 |
Non-Binding Resolution Formally Denounces Socialism, Citing Historical Failures and Founding Principles
This isn’t a bill that changes your taxes, your health insurance, or the price of gas. This is a Concurrent Resolution, which is essentially a formal statement of opinion from the legislature. Think of it as a strongly worded memo from Congress that doesn’t actually create any new laws, rules, or funding programs. The resolution, titled Denouncing the horrors of socialism, focuses entirely on ideology and history.
The core of the resolution is a thorough condemnation of socialism in all its forms. It argues that socialist ideology inevitably leads to the concentration of power, resulting in totalitarian regimes, dictatorships, and massive human suffering. To back this up, the resolution cites a long list of historical events and figures, attributing the deaths of over 100 million people worldwide to socialist ideologues like Lenin, Stalin, Mao Zedong, and others.
The Historical Case Against Collectivism
The resolution doesn't shy away from specifics, listing historical atrocities to illustrate its point. It references the Soviet Union’s gulags and the Holodomor (the Terror-Famine in Ukraine), the estimated 15 million to 55 million who starved during China's Great Leap Forward, and the millions murdered in Cambodia’s killing fields. For the average person, these references serve as a stark reminder of the historical outcomes the legislative body associates with collectivist systems, contrasting them sharply with American principles of individual liberty and property rights.
Property Rights and the Founding Fathers
To cement its argument, the resolution pivots from international history to the founding principles of the U.S. It quotes Thomas Jefferson and James Madison on property rights. Jefferson’s quote argues that taking property from the industrious to give to the less industrious violates the first principle of association. Madison’s quote states that a government isn't just when citizens' safety and liberty are violated by arbitrary seizures. For someone running a small business or working hard to buy their first home, these quotes reinforce the idea that the right to enjoy the fruits of one's labor is fundamental to the American system, directly contrasting with the expropriation of land and businesses cited in the resolution’s reference to the Castro regime in Cuba.
What This Means for Everyday Policy
Since this is a non-binding resolution, it has zero direct impact on your daily life—it won't change your 401(k) or your commute. However, it serves a clear rhetorical purpose. By formally denouncing socialism and opposing its implementation in the U.S., Congress is setting a clear ideological marker. For anyone advocating for policies that involve greater government control, such as nationalized healthcare or increased regulation of major industries, this resolution provides political opponents with a powerful, officially sanctioned talking point that links those proposals to historical failures and authoritarianism. It’s essentially a legislative tool for framing future policy debates, making it clear where the body stands on the philosophical spectrum of government involvement.