WASHINGTON – One Republican House lawmaker is taking offense at nine Democrats for what he said should have been a no-brainer: recognizing the importance of Christians and Christmas.
In the end, the House on Tuesday supported Rep. Steve King's resolution to recognize "the Christian faith as one of the great religions of the world" and acknowledge "the international religious and historical importance of Christmas and the Christian faith."
But King, of Iowa, is upset that not everyone voted for his bill two weeks before an estimated 225 million Americans celebrate the Christian holiday even though the vote by usual standards would be a solid margin. The measure passed by a 372-9 vote, with 10 recording a neutral "present" vote and 40 members not voting.
Click here to see how your congressman voted on the measure.
"The naysayers didn't make it to the floor to debate. I would like to know how they could vote 'yes' on Islam, 'yes' on the Indian religions and 'no' on Christianity. The foundation of this nation and this culture is Christian. ... I think there's an assault on Christianity in America," King said in a release Wednesday.
Speaking with FOX News Wednesday, King said he was motivated to push the resolution because of liberal activists and "secularists in the country who are trying to eradicate Christ from Christmas."
"It's time we stood up and said so and said to the rest of America, 'Be who you are, and be confident, and let's worship Christ and celebrate Christmas for the right reasons'," he said.
King said he was upset with the nine lawmakers — all Democrats — who voted against his resolution even they did not vote against two earlier measures, one supporting Islam and the holy month of Ramadan, and the other supporting a number of Indian religions..
Those in King's crosshairs are Reps. Gary Ackerman and Yvette Clarke of New York; Diana DeGette of Colorado; Alcee Hastings of Florida; Jim McDermott of Washington; Bobby Scott of Virginia; and Barbara Lee, Pete Stark, and Lynn Woolsey of California.
All voted "yes" on both measures with the exception of Hastings and Lee. Hastings supported the Ramadan measure but did not vote on the Indian religion measure. Lee was the reverse: she supported the Indian religion measure, but did not vote on the Ramadan measure.
DeGette's chief of staff, Lisa Cohen, told FOXNews.com that she had not heard King's comments until she spoke with a reporter, but DeGette previously has opposed similar bills on Christianity because she "has concerns about separation of church and state." Other lawmakers' offices did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday.
King voted "present" with respect to both the Ramadan and the Indian religion measures.
The House voted Oct. 2 on a resolution that "recognizes the Islamic faith as one of the great religions of the world" and "acknowledges the onset of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, and conveys its respect to Muslims," as well as commending those who reject hatred.
That measure passed 376-0, with 42 lawmakers voting "present," and 14 not voting.
Click here to read the resolution titled, recognizing Islam and Ramadan.
Click here to see how your representative voted on the Ramadan measure.
And on Oct. 29, the House voted to recognize the Indian celebration of Diwali, in which members of the Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist and Jain religions participate. The resolution said the House, "in order to demonstrate support for Indian Americans and the Indian Diaspora throughout the world, recognizes Diwali as an important festival."
That measure passed on a 358-0 vote, with 8 "present" votes and 66 members not voting.
Click here to see the full text of the resolution recognizing the Indian celebration of Diwali.
Click here to see how your representative voted on the measure.
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