House Smacks Down Socialism as Funding Battle Begins

The House of Representatives returns to Washington on Monday after a five-week recess. Leadership plans to pass a spending bill to keep the government open past the midterm elections. A second priority involves forcing a vote on a resolution to condemn "socialism in all its forms," according to the Washington Examiner.

Republican leaders want Democrats to go on record regarding their stance before the November elections. The Rules Committee will consider this anti-socialism resolution on Monday. GOP leadership aims to vote on the Senate-passed funding bill by Tuesday.

The Senate already passed a funding measure earlier this month while the House was away. That bill would fund the government through December 11. It passed in a strong bipartisan vote of 90 to 6.

This continuing resolution includes a provision to stop the Trump administration from giving political appointees control over federal grants. It also delays a ban on hemp-derived products like gummies and vapes sold at gas stations. A source described this funding patch as the House's "main focus" as members return to session.

Some lawmakers oppose the hemp provision. House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris (R-MD) has signaled his strong opposition to keeping these products on shelves. He told a Baltimore Fox affiliate on August 18 that the items sold at gas stations should not be called hemp.

Harris stated clearly, "They are not hemp, they are basically marijuana." He argues these products are "completely unregulated" and represent a failure of the federal government to regulate them properly. Harris added, "And I'm trying to put an end to that."

The House will move quickly on these items starting Monday. The vote on the resolution to denounce socialism is set for the Rules Committee first. The main funding bill vote is scheduled for Tuesday.

Leadership wants to ensure the government stays open while also making a political statement against socialist groups. The surge in the Democratic Socialists of America is a specific point of concern for the GOP.