At the Feb. 12 ASUI Senate meeting, a resolution congratulating President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance on their elections was put on the floor for a roll call vote.
This resolution was authored by a student and sponsored by Senator Izaak Krohn, who said, “It is important for us as a student government to recognize and congratulate the new leaders of our country, especially when these leaders are working for the bettering of the country and the livelihoods of students.”
Krohn claimed support for the resolution on the grounds of the Trump administration “creating seven million jobs” and Trump’s work in deregulation—specifically the new Department of Government Efficiency. Krohn also claimed that there is “massive benefit in shutting down the federal Department of Education” by reducing government overreach and restoring educational power to local government systems.
Senator Arielle Hebison proposed that this resolution was a good opportunity to show the true bipartisanship of ASUI and that the resolution would “make ASUI look more well-rounded as a whole,” as opposed to leaning politically left or right.
“When we speak tonight, we’re speaking for the students we represent, not just ourselves,” Hebison said.
However, Senator Lance Butikofer remained in strong opposition to passing the resolution.
“I don’t believe this resolution is the vehicle to bipartisanship,” Butikofer said. “I believe it is the vehicle to polarization.”
Butikofer argued against the clause in the resolution that claims Trump was part of a “peaceful transfer of power,” calling it a rewrite of history.
“Passing this resolution would be an attempt to defy history and distort the reality of Trump’s actions,” he said.
Butikofer motioned to postpone the resolution indefinitely, which would eliminate all further discussion of the resolution and remove it from the Senate agenda. He claimed that this proposal would offer the option for senators who wish to neutral on the topic.
This motion was dismissed, seven to five.
The roll call vote to pass the resolution resulted in a tie. Vice President Emma Johnston placed a tie-breaking vote, ultimately approving it into legislation.
Another senate bill on the floor was the resolution stating ASUI’s formal opposition to Idaho House Memorial Joint 1, which aims to ban gay marriage. All senators voted to pass the bill into legislation.
President Martha Smith has continued working with the sculptor of the new monument honoring ASUI. Additionally, she announced that applications for clubs and organizations to fill the vacant spaces in the ISUB are open.
The senators unanimously passed a resolution expressing their condolences to the victims’ families of the Washington D.C. airplane and helicopter collision.
Rebekah Weaver can be reached at arg-news@uidaho.edu.