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House resolution condemns assassination of Charlie Kirk and reaffirms free-speech principle
Summary
The House committee heard Representative Barton introduce HCR14, a resolution condemning the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and urging reaffirmation of First Amendment rights and civil discourse; members discussed drafting and whether the Senate would take up the concurrent measure.
Representative Barton introduced a House concurrent resolution condemning the assassination of Charlie Kirk and urging New Hampshire to reaffirm protections for free speech and civil discourse. He read the text into the record and said the measure is not an endorsement of an individual’s views but a collective rejection of political violence: “This resolution…speaks to a principle that should unite all of us that violence has no place in political debate.”
The measure’s text, read into the record, notes the circumstances of the attack and directs the clerk to send copies to Kirk’s family, the leadership of Turning Point USA, and the governors and legislatures of all 50 states. Barton said the Senate president’s sponsorship made it more likely the Senate would consider the concurrent resolution, though he could not promise Senate action.
Republicans and Democrats pressed the sponsor on drafting choices and logistics: members asked whether the measure should single out an individual, whether the wording should name Erica Kirk or Turning Point USA separately, and whether the Senate’s custom of avoiding some concurrent resolutions would prevent Senate consideration. Barton said he hopes the resolution will be considered by the Senate and the governor as a statewide statement against political violence.
The committee closed the hearing on HCR14 after questions and moved on to later agenda items. No committee vote on HCR14 was recorded during today’s session; the chair scheduled subsequent procedural business and other hearings. The measure’s passage or referral will depend on further committee action and the House calendar.
The committee’s public record includes Barton’s full statement and the resolution text as read into the record for later reference. The clerk confirmed the text will be preserved in the committee materials and the video recording of the hearing.
The committee will take any formal recommendation to the floor only after completing its internal process and, if applicable, an executive session.
