An effort by the U.S. House to honor the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk led to a heated exchange on Wednesday when one representative suggested turning a moment of silence into a prayer.
Representative Lauren Boebert from Colorado proposed the prayer, prompting objections from lawmakers on the left who argued that the House had not appropriately responded to school shootings. Rep. Rich McCormick from Georgia explained the situation during an appearance on “CUOMO” later that day.
While McCormick says he understands that point of view, he added it’s unfortunate the brief moment has drawn undue attention.
“That’s a microcosm of exactly what’s wrong with America too many people blaming, rather than too many people praying,” he said.
Boebert: Moment of silence not good enough for Charlie Kirk
During her appearance, Boebert confirmed that her prayer proposal came just before the disruption. She expressed to “On Balance” that Kirk, a Republican figure instrumental in Donald Trump’s reelection campaign, warranted more than mere silence.
Kirk was tragically shot while attending a debate at Utah Valley University, with Utah Governor Spencer Cox denouncing the act as a political assassination. As of Wednesday evening, the shooter had not been apprehended.
“I believe that silent prayers get silent results. If you are silent, you lose by default,” Boebert said.
She said the prayer she suggested was also for the victims shot at a high school in Evergreen, Colorado, on Wednesday.
“That’s when we were shouted down,” Boebert said.
Watching the dispute unfold was Rep. Jill Tokuda, D-Hawaii, who said the killing of Kirk had an impact on House members of both parties.
“I sat in silence because I felt a lot of my colleagues across the aisle were in significant pain. They lost a friend, someone they deeply cared for,” Tokuda stated. “I also sensed a lot of fear among those on my side of the aisle.”
She expressed hope that the two parties can ultimately find “common ground and a way to move forward.”
