LANSING, Mich. — Senate Democrats on Tuesday refused to consider Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt’s resolution to honor Charlie Kirk and “condemn all forms of political violence” on the National Day of Remembrance for the conservative influencer who was assassinated last month.
“It is unfortunate the Senate Democrat majority could not even be bothered to take a moment to acknowledge the tragedy that took place in Utah last month and condemn political violence as the nation pauses to remember Charlie Kirk,” said Nesbitt, R-Porter Township. “It is sad how Democrats can turn anything — even common human decency — into political division. We must do better if we are going to move Michigan and our nation forward.”
Resolutions commemorating designated days, weeks, months or events are typically voted on the same day they are introduced. However, Senate Resolution 77 was referred to the Senate Committee on Government Operations — a legislative maneuver often used to table topics indefinitely.
It was just the second resolution referred to Government Operations this year. Until Tuesday, the only other 2025 resolution not voted on was the Republican-sponsored SR 45 to commemorate Police Week, which was postponed so the Democrat-sponsored SR 47 on the same topic could be approved on the same day.
Nesbitt’s SR 77 states, “We honor the life, leadership, and legacy of Charlie Kirk, whose steadfast dedication to the Constitution, civil discourse, and Biblical truth inspired a generation to cherish and defend the blessings of liberty” and “we call upon all Americans, regardless of race, party affiliation, or creed, to reject political violence, recommit to respectful debate, uphold American values, and respect one another as fellow Americans.”
Tuesday’s National Day of Remembrance marks what would have been Kirk’s 32nd birthday. President Donald Trump has also announced he will posthumously award Kirk the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, during an event at the White House on Tuesday afternoon.