House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries gave a brief response when asked why he skipped the vigil for Charlie Kirk.
“I had a meeting,” Jeffries told reporters Tuesday during a press conference.
Vigil in the Capitol
House Speaker Mike Johnson announced the vigil on Monday.
It was held that evening in Statuary Hall at the Capitol.
The event honored conservative activist Charlie Kirk, assassinated last week.
Dozens of Republican lawmakers attended the service.
Only a handful of Democrats joined their GOP colleagues.
Democratic Attendance
Fox News reported that just seven House Democrats were present.
Those included Tom Suozzi of New York and Debbie Dingell of Michigan.
Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington and John Larson of Connecticut also attended.
Jimmy Panetta of California and Chris Pappas of New Hampshire were seen there.
Don Davis of North Carolina rounded out the small Democratic group.
Absent were Jeffries and other top House Democratic leaders.
Jeffries Responds
Pressed about the low turnout, Jeffries gave little explanation.