The South Carolina House of Representatives voted Thursday to rename three state roads in honor of President Donald Trump and deceased conservative activist Charlie Kirk, despite strong opposition from Democratic lawmakers.

The Republican-backed resolutions would rename a McCormick County bridge on Highway 378 as the “Charlie Kirk Memorial Bridge,” designate a section of Highway 76 in Laurens County as the “Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway,” and name the proposed Interstate 73 running through Horry and several other South Carolina counties “The Donald J. Trump Highway,” according to the legislative action.

Rep. Luke Rankin, a Laurens County Republican who sponsored the Highway 76 renaming, described Kirk as a “unifier” during floor debate. Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was killed in September.

“His passing affected me deeply and profoundly and will have a lasting impact on the rest of my political career,” Rankin said, according to legislative records. “People need to know that Charlie Kirk was a champion of the pro-life cause, was a strong and devout Christian [who] advocated for family values.”

Rep. Heather Crawford, a Horry County Republican, sponsored the resolution honoring Trump. The measure cited the president’s “renowned business savvy and financial acumen” and his support for the Interstate 73 project, according to the resolution text.

The proposed Interstate 73 has been a long-discussed transportation project that would potentially provide a direct route from Michigan to South Carolina’s coast, with significant implications for Horry County’s tourism economy.

Democratic lawmakers voiced sharp criticism of the naming proposals, citing Trump’s legal troubles and Kirk’s controversial public statements.

“I am so amazed at this rush to honor people who have no honor,” said Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, the chamber’s longest-serving member, according to legislative proceedings.

Cobb-Hunter, who has served in the House since 1992, expressed her frustration with the Republican majority’s decision to advance the measures.

“I don’t care what you think, because you’ve shown you don’t care what we think,” she told her colleagues, according to legislative records. “I can’t sit here and listen and watch. I can’t do that today.”

Democratic objections referenced Trump’s 34 felony convictions and Kirk’s history of making divisive political and racial remarks, according to floor debate records.

The resolutions now advance to the South Carolina Senate, where they will require approval before taking effect. The Senate’s composition and leadership will determine whether the road renaming proposals receive consideration and potential passage.

Road and bridge naming in South Carolina typically honors historical figures, veterans, or individuals who have made significant contributions to their communities. The naming process requires legislative approval for state-maintained roads and bridges.

McCormick County’s Highway 378 bridge spans part of the county’s rural landscape, while the Laurens County section of Highway 76 serves as a connector route in the Upstate region. The proposed Interstate 73 remains in planning stages, with federal and state transportation officials continuing to evaluate routing options and funding mechanisms.

The Thursday vote reflects the ongoing political divisions in the South Carolina legislature, where Republicans hold significant majorities in both chambers. The party-line nature of the vote underscores the partisan tensions that have characterized recent legislative sessions.

If ultimately approved by the Senate, the road renamings would join other politically-themed designations across South Carolina’s highway system, where various routes honor political figures from across the ideological spectrum.