On Tuesday, the U.S. House passed a resolution recognizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith by a vote of 372 to 9. Nine members voted against the resolution, ten refused to support it by voting "present," and 40 others members did not vote.
All but two of the representatives voting "present" or against the Christmas Resolution voted in favor of a resolution recognizing Ramadan, which passed by a 376-0 vote in October. The Ramadan Resolution stated that the House "recognizes the Islamic faith as one of the great religions of the world…expresses friendship and support for Muslims…acknowledges the onset of Ramadan…and conveys its respect to Muslims…rejects hatred, bigotry, and violence directed against Muslims…commends Muslims… who have privately and publicly rejected interpretations and movements of Islam that justify and encourage hatred, violence, and terror".
The Christmas Resolution uses similar language, stating that the House recognizes "the Christian faith as one of the great religions of the world…expresses continued support for Christians…acknowledges the international religious and historical importance of Christmas and the Christian faith…acknowledges and supports the role played by Christians and Christianity in the founding of the United States and in the formation of the western civilization…rejects bigotry and persecution directed against Christians…and expresses its deepest respect to American Christians and Christians throughout the world".
The nine members who voted against the Christmas Resolution were all Democrats: Ackerman (NY), Clarke (NY), DeGette (CO), Hastings (FL), Lee (CA), McDermott (WA), Scott (VA), Stark (CA) and Woolsey (CA). The 10 who answered "present" without entering a vote were also Democrats except one: Conyers (MI), Frank (MA), Holt (NJ), Payne (NJ), Pence (Republican from IN), Schakowsky (PA), Schwartz (PA), Wasserman-Schultz (FL), Welch (VT) and Yarmuth (KY).
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