Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Elise Stefanik

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Elise Stefanik.

Elise Stefanik is a U.S. Representative for New York's 21st congressional district. She served as chair of the House Republican Conference from 2021 to 2025, making her the fourth-ranking House Republican. Elected to Congress in 2014 at age 30, Stefanik was the youngest woman ever elected to Congress at the time. Her district includes the North Country, Adirondack Mountains, and parts of the Utica suburbs and the Capital District.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2008: Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act of 2008

In 2017, Elise Stefanik co-sponsored the Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act in the 115th Congress—legislation that, among other things, would eliminate the genetic privacy protections of the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act of 2008.

2016: Supported ending House Intelligence Committee's investigation into Russian interference

In 2016, Elise Stefanik supported ending the House Intelligence Committee's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections.

2016: Voted to release the Nunes memo

In 2016, Elise Stefanik voted to release the Nunes memo written by staff members of Representative Devin Nunes.

2017: Co-sponsored the Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act

In 2017, Elise Stefanik co-sponsored the Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act in the 115th Congress.

November 2019: Emergence as a key defender of Trump during impeachment hearings

During the November 2019 hearings, Elise Stefanik emerged as a key defender of Trump, leading to controversies over questioning time and accusations against Adam Schiff.

December 2020: Supported Newsmax's claim about Dominion Voting Systems

In December 2020, Elise Stefanik appeared to support Newsmax's baseless claim that Dominion Voting Systems had helped Joe Biden "steal" the election from Donald Trump, and continued to make unsubstantiated claims about election fraud.

December 2020: Joined amicus brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the 2020 election

In December 2020, Elise Stefanik joined over 100 GOP House members in an amicus brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the 2020 election.

December 2020: Supported lawsuit Texas v. Pennsylvania

In December 2020, Elise Stefanik supported the lawsuit Texas v. Pennsylvania, an attempt to reverse Trump's loss by petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court to reject certified results in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Georgia.

2020: Backed Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election

In 2020, Elise Stefanik backed Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election, objecting to Pennsylvania's electoral votes.

January 6, 2021: Condemned Capitol violence but rejected Trump's fault

On January 6, 2021, after the storming of the U.S. Capitol, Elise Stefanik condemned the violence but rejected the idea that Trump was at fault and voted against accepting Pennsylvania's electoral votes.

February 25, 2021: Stefanik Votes Against the Equality Act

On February 25, 2021, Elise Stefanik voted against the Equality Act in the 117th Congress, a reversal from her support for the same legislation in the previous Congress.

May 19, 2021: Vote Against January 6 Commission

On May 19, 2021, Elise Stefanik and other House Republican leaders voted against establishing a January 6 commission to investigate the January 6 United States Capitol attack.

July 29, 2021: Tweet calling for "FIRE FAUCI!"

On July 29, 2021, Elise Stefanik tweeted "FIRE FAUCI!"

2021: Claimed Pelosi was responsible for January 6 Attack

After Trump supporters were involved in the 2021 United States Capitol attack, Elise Stefanik said that Speaker Nancy Pelosi was responsible, claiming without evidence that Pelosi was "aware of potential security threats to the Capitol and she failed to act".

2021: Paladino's Controversial Remarks

In 2021, Carl Paladino made controversial comments praising Adolf Hitler, leading to scrutiny of Stefanik's endorsement. Despite the controversy, Stefanik did not withdraw her endorsement.

2021: Accused Democrats of orchestrating a "permanent election insurrection"

In a Facebook campaign advertisement in 2021, Elise Stefanik claimed that Democrats were orchestrating a "permanent election insurrection" by granting amnesty to undocumented immigrants, which received renewed criticism after the 2022 Buffalo shooting.

2022: Criticized Biden administration during infant formula shortage

During the 2022 United States infant formula shortage, Elise Stefanik criticized the Biden administration for supplying baby formula to undocumented immigrants, and her association of the Democratic Party with pedophiles appeared to echo the QAnon conspiracy theory.

2022: Stefanik Endorses Carl Paladino

In 2022, Elise Stefanik endorsed Carl Paladino in the election to succeed retiring U.S. representative Chris Jacobs in New York's 23rd congressional district.

December 2023: Questioning of University Presidents on Antisemitism

In December 2023, Elise Stefanik gained national attention for her questioning of university presidents during a congressional hearing on antisemitism, which contributed to the resignation of Liz Magill, the president of the University of Pennsylvania.

December 2023: Stefanik Votes Against Expelling George Santos

In December 2023, Elise Stefanik voted against expelling George Santos from the House of Representatives, citing concerns regarding due process.

2023: Hearing on Antisemitism and University Presidents

During a 2023 hearing on antisemitism of the House Education and Workforce Committee, Elise Stefanik questioned the presidents of Harvard, MIT, and the University of Pennsylvania about whether "calling for the genocide of Jewish people" constituted bullying or harassment on their campuses. Liz Magill, president of UPenn, resigned the following week.

September 2024: Criticized the United Nations for "extreme antisemitism and moral depravity"

In September 2024, Elise Stefanik criticized the United Nations's "extreme antisemitism and moral depravity" and has called on President Joe Biden to "unequivocally support Israel’s right to defend itself against both brutal terrorists and biased international organizations".

October 2024: Called for reassessment of US funding of the United Nations

In October 2024, Elise Stefanik called for a "complete reassessment of US funding of the United Nations" after the Palestinian Authority attempted to expel Israel from the UN due to human rights abuses in Gaza.