Half of the House Voted Yes to Socialism, Despite Losing Track Record

When condemning socialism, supporting free and fair elections, and promising to uphold the Constitution are no longer bipartisan issues, something has clearly gone wrong in American politics.

On Sept. 1, the House of Representatives voted 220-192, with only eight Democrats joining every Republican in voting to denounce socialism. That represents a remarkable change from 2023, when 109 House Democrats—more than half of the party’s caucus—joined Republicans in condemning socialism.

House Resolution 1490 packaged several statements together and called upon the House of Representatives to:

1. Condemn and denounce “socialism in all its forms, including the Democratic Socialists of America,” and oppose implementing socialist policies nationwide;
2. Reaffirm “support for free, fair, and secure elections” and that American elections are for American citizens only;
3. Recommit to upholding the American Constitution; and
4. Enact the “SAVE America Act to ensure election security, increase public confidence in America’s voting system, and close loopholes” that allow noncitizens to vote.

As a simple House resolution, it does not change federal law or go to the Senate. Its significance is simply a political messaging tool that lets Americans know where their Representatives stand—and it’s beyond clear to see where each party’s allegiances lie.

It should be a bare minimum requirement of members of Congress to commit themselves to protecting, defending, and improving the lives of all Americans. Yet, opposing socialism, supporting election integrity, and upholding the Constitution were messages where nearly all Democrats drew the line.

This is reflective of a pro-socialist, anti-capitalist, and anti-American ideological shift within the Democrat Party.

One in three Democrats now identify as a democratic socialist. The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) has grown substantially from 6,000 dues-paying members in 2015 to over 120,000 by 2026. Embodied by poster boy New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, this ideology is becoming a staple of the left, despite socialism being responsible for unprecedented human suffering and economic deterioration.

This isn’t just speculation—it’s in the data.

Economic history offers ample warning about replacing free markets and private ownership with central planning. The Heritage Foundation’s 2026 Index of Economic Freedom finds that market-oriented economies like Singapore, Switzerland, and the United States rank among the most prosperous nations, whereas communist or socialist countries like North Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela rank among the worst.

“Free,” “mostly free,” or “moderately free” nations have more than three times the average income of “repressed” economies. For example, Switzerland’s GDP per capita, a benchmark for the standard of living, was nearly $115,000 in 2025 while Venezuela’s was only $3,500.

Still more, the longest lives are found in rich market economies. According to the United Nations World Population Prospects, Japan, South Korea, and Switzerland have the longest life expectancies at roughly 85 years. Venezuela, Iraq, and North Korea have among the lowest at approximately 73 years. It is evident that both age and well-being flourish in capitalist countries due to innovation in medicine, technology, and infrastructure.

Natural experiments also show that countries similar in geography and culture achieve different outcomes from pursued political and economic policies. South Korea’s export-oriented economy allowed it to develop significantly, whereas North Korea stagnated under communism.

Similarly, the human and economic inequalities of East and West Germany were only reduced with reunification and the eradication of Soviet national socialist policies.

Socialism’s historical track record is a warning to modern policymakers considering similar agendas, and a lesson that economic ideology matters. State ownership of the means of production, suppression of innovation, and redistributionism erodes nations from the inside out. Take Venezuela, a country blessed with natural resources, which is poorer today than it was pre-1920 due to socialist central planning.

Despite this reality, the failed ideology has succeeded in American local and state elections and is now infiltrating the federal government—largely through youth support. Promises to “tax the rich,” freeze rents, and open government-owned grocery stores appeal to a younger demographic disillusioned with current state of the economy.

Reform is indeed necessary to restore prosperity for Americans, yet the DSA’s agenda is antithetical to the founding principles that made America the most successful experiment in all human history. Limited government, property rights, free markets, and individual liberties built the United States. These values gave America the necessary foundation to grow economically, socially, and culturally.

Vladimir Lenin stated “socialism must inevitably evolve gradually into communism,” and that very admission is why Americans and policymakers must oppose it.

One-hundred ninety-two members of the House refused to condemn socialism, support election integrity, and swear to uphold the U.S. Constitution. The inability to agree with these seemingly benign demands is beyond concerning.

If bipartisan issues are now partisan, the true center of American politics has shifted significantly. A House resolution is only a message, but when elected officials tell you who they are, Americans ought to listen.

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Domains for Sale · GOTPeople.org · TheDSAPlatform · The Truth About Socialism

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