History of Josh Hawley in Timeline
Josh Hawley is an American politician and attorney currently serving as the senior United States Senator from Missouri since 2019. A Republican, he previously served as the Missouri Attorney General from 2017 to 2019. He gained national attention for his role in objecting to the certification of the 2020 presidential election results. Hawley defeated incumbent Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill in 2018 and was reelected in 2024.
December 31, 1979: Joshua David Hawley Born
On December 31, 1979, Joshua David Hawley was born. He is currently the senior United States senator from Missouri.
1981: Hawleys Move to Lexington, Missouri
In 1981, the Hawley family moved to Lexington, Missouri, after Ronald Hawley, Joshua's father, joined a division of Boatmen's Bancshares.
1988: First Republican Attorney General
In 1988, Josh Hawley became the state's first Republican attorney general since 1988.
1988: Michael Dukakis's tank photograph
Josh Hawley's fist salute to protestors before the Capitol riot was compared to Michael Dukakis's tank photograph during the 1988 presidential campaign.
1995: Bobby Bostic sentenced to 241 years in prison
In 1995, Bobby Bostic, at the age of 16, was sentenced to 241 years in prison for robbery and other crimes.
2000: Intern at The Heritage Foundation
During the summer of 2000, Josh Hawley worked as an intern at The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.
2002: Hawley Taught at St Paul's School
From 2002 to 2003, Josh Hawley spent ten months in London teaching at St Paul's School.
2002: Hawley Graduates from Stanford
In 2002, Josh Hawley graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts degree with highest honors and Phi Beta Kappa membership.
2003: Hawley supported the Iraq War
In the early 2000s, some of Josh Hawley's former colleagues at St Paul's School claimed Hawley was "very hawkish" in his early 20s, supporting the Iraq War in its early stages and at one point making himself popcorn to eat while watching news coverage of the 2003 invasion.
2005: Hawley supported the Iraq War
In 2005, while a 25-year-old law student at Yale University, Josh Hawley wrote supportive blog posts of the Iraq war, as well as nation-building in Iraq. At the time, he supported a proactive democracy promotion foreign policy.
2006: Hawley Clerks for Judge McConnell
From 2006 to 2007, Josh Hawley clerked for Judge Michael W. McConnell of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.
2006: Hawley Graduates from Yale Law School
In 2006, Josh Hawley graduated from Yale Law School with a Juris Doctor degree. He was involved in several law journals and organizations during his time there.
2007: Hawley Clerks for Chief Justice Roberts
From 2007 to 2008, Josh Hawley clerked for Chief Justice John Roberts of the U.S. Supreme Court.
2007: The Mission Continues Founded
In 2007, Eric Greitens founded The Mission Continues, a veterans' charity.
2008: Hawley Joins Hogan & Hartson
From 2008 to 2011, Josh Hawley worked in private practice as an appellate litigator at the law firm Hogan & Hartson, now known as Hogan Lovells.
2008: Hawley Ends Clerkship with Roberts
In 2008, Josh Hawley concluded his clerkship with Chief Justice John Roberts of the U.S. Supreme Court.
2010: Marriage to Erin Morrow
In 2010, Josh Hawley married Erin Morrow, a fellow Yale Law School graduate.
2011: Hawley Returns to Missouri and Joins University of Missouri Law School
In 2011, Josh Hawley returned to Missouri and became an associate professor at the University of Missouri Law School.
2012: Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church & School v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
In 2012, Josh Hawley wrote briefs and gave legal advice in the Supreme Court case Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church & School v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, while working at Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.
2013: Beliefs on Personhood and Birth Control
In 2013, Josh Hawley stated his belief that human life and personhood begin at fertilization, before conception, and expressed opposition to forms of birth control that prevent conception by preventing implantation of a fertilized egg.
2014: Burwell v. Hobby Lobby
In 2014, Josh Hawley wrote briefs and gave legal advice in the Supreme Court case Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, while working at Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.
July 23, 2015: Hawley Launches Attorney General Campaign
On July 23, 2015, Josh Hawley launched his campaign for attorney general of Missouri.
December 2015: Support for Exemptions from Same-Sex Marriage Ceremonies
In December 2015, Josh Hawley supported exemptions for Missouri "businesses and religious groups from participating in same-sex ... marriage ceremonies".
2015: Hawley Leaves Becket Fund for Religious Liberty
In 2015, Josh Hawley left the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.
August 2, 2016: Hawley Defeats Kurt Schaefer in Republican Primary
On August 2, 2016, Josh Hawley defeated Kurt Schaefer in the Republican primary for Missouri attorney general with 64% of the vote.
2016: Greitens' Campaign for Governor
In 2016, Eric Greitens had a campaign for governor.
2016: NRA Rating
In 2016, Josh Hawley received an 86% rating from the National Rifle Association (NRA).
January 9, 2017: Hawley Sworn in as Attorney General
On January 9, 2017, Josh Hawley was sworn in as the attorney general of Missouri.
May 5, 2017: Death of Tory Sanders
On May 5, 2017, Tory Sanders, a Black motorist, died while in protective custody in a county jail in Mississippi County, Missouri after he ran out of gas and sought assistance from the police.
June 2017: Missouri Sues Drug Companies
In June 2017, Josh Hawley announced that Missouri had filed suit against Endo Health Solutions, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, and Purdue Pharma for allegedly hiding the dangers of prescription painkillers.
August 2017: Investigation into Opioid Distributors Opened
In August 2017, Josh Hawley announced that he had opened an investigation into seven opioid distributors: Allergan, Depomed, Insys, Mallinckrodt, Mylan, Pfizer, and Teva Pharmaceuticals.
August 2017: Forms exploratory campaign committee
In August 2017, Josh Hawley formed an exploratory campaign committee for the U.S. Senate.
October 2017: Declares candidacy for U.S. Senate
In October 2017, Josh Hawley declared his candidacy for the Republican nomination in Missouri's 2018 U.S. Senate election.
October 2017: Investigation into Opioid Distributors Expanded
In October 2017, Josh Hawley expanded his investigation into three additional pharmaceutical companies—AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson Corporation—that are the three largest U.S. opioid distributors.
October 29, 2017: Columbia Missourian Publishes Exposé on Untested Rape Kits
On October 29, 2017, the Columbia Missourian published an exposé describing a large backlog of untested rape kits in Missouri.
November 2017: Trump endorses Hawley
In November 2017, Donald Trump endorsed Josh Hawley in his campaign for U.S. Senate. The Affordable Care Act and the confirmation of CIA Director Mike Pompeo as Secretary of State became central issues during the general election campaign.
November 2017: Investigation into Google Opened
In November 2017, Josh Hawley opened an investigation into whether Google's business practices violated state consumer protection and anti-trust laws.
December 2017: Greitens Accused of Subverting Missouri's Open Records Laws
In December 2017, Missouri's Republican Governor Eric Greitens and senior members of his staff were accused of subverting Missouri's open records laws by using Confide, a messaging app that erases texts after they have been read, on their personal phones.
December 20, 2017: Hawley to Investigate Greitens' Use of Messaging App
On December 20, 2017, Josh Hawley announced that his office would investigate Governor Eric Greitens' use of Confide, a messaging app that erases texts, for potential violations of Missouri's open records laws.
2017: Hawley Declines to File Murder Charges in Tory Sanders Case
In 2017, Josh Hawley determined that those who had assaulted Tory Sanders, who died in custody, had not intended his death, and did not file murder charges, leading to criticism.
January 2018: Allegations Emerge Against Greitens
In January 2018, allegations emerged that Governor Eric Greitens had blackmailed a woman with whom he was having an affair. Josh Hawley's office initially stated they did not have jurisdiction.
February 2018: Joined lawsuit challenging Affordable Care Act
In February 2018, Josh Hawley joined 20 other Republican-led states in a lawsuit challenging the Affordable Care Act as unconstitutional. Hawley stated he supported protections for preexisting conditions, even as some argued the lawsuit would eliminate insurance protections for people with preexisting conditions.
March 2018: Hawley defends Bobby Bostic's sentence
In March 2018, Hawley defended the 1995 sentencing of Bobby Bostic to 241 years in prison. Bostic had been 16 years old when he committed robbery and the other crimes for which he was later convicted and harshly sentenced.
March 2018: Former Attorneys Criticize Investigation
In March 2018, six former Missouri attorneys released a letter criticizing Josh Hawley's investigation into Governor Eric Greitens' use of the Confide messaging app as "half-hearted".
April 2018: Subpoena Issued to Facebook
In April 2018, after the Facebook–Cambridge Analytica data scandal, Josh Hawley announced that his office had issued a subpoena to Facebook related to how the company shares its users' data.
April 24, 2018: Supreme Court rejects Bostic's appeal
On April 24, 2018, the Supreme Court rejected Bobby Bostic's appeal to overturn his sentence. Hawley argued that Bostic's sentencing did not violate constitutional bans on cruel and unusual punishment.
May 2018: Statewide Audit Results Made Public
In May 2018, the results of Josh Hawley's statewide audit of the number of untested rape kits were made public, revealing nearly 5,000 such kits.
May 29, 2018: Greitens Announces Resignation
On May 29, 2018, Governor Eric Greitens announced that he would resign effective June 1, 2018. Josh Hawley issued a statement approving of the decision.
August 2018: Investigation into clergy sexual abuse
In August 2018, Josh Hawley announced that he would begin an investigation into potential cases of sexual abuse by Catholic clerics in Missouri, following a report in Pennsylvania and protests in St. Louis.
August 2018: One Nation Commercials Give Hawley Credit
In August 2018, One Nation, a nonprofit connected to Republican campaign strategist Karl Rove, ran commercials giving Josh Hawley credit for identifying the problem of untested rape kits, a claim that was disputed.
September 2018: Full Support for Trump's Trade Actions
In September 2018, Josh Hawley voiced his full support for President Trump's trade actions, asserting that "It's a trade war that China started. If we're in a war, I want to be winning it."
September 2018: Response to criticism about Affordable Care Act lawsuit
In September 2018, amid criticism from Claire McCaskill, Hawley's U.S. Senate opponent, about the lawsuit's effect on coverage of preexisting conditions, Hawley's office said that he supported protections for individuals with preexisting conditions. Hawley later published an op-ed explaining his support through a taxpayer subsidy.
November 2018: Hawley defeated McCaskill
In the November 2018 general election, Josh Hawley defeated Claire McCaskill, 51% to 46%.
December 6, 2018: Inquiry into misappropriation of public funds
On December 6, 2018, Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft launched an inquiry into whether Josh Hawley misappropriated public funds for his Senate campaign.
December 2018: Judge rules ACA unconstitutional
In December 2018, Judge Reed O'Connor ruled the entirety of the ACA unconstitutional. On appeal, the Fifth Circuit did not agree that the entire law should be voided.
2018: Hawley's U.S. Senate campaign
During Josh Hawley's 2018 U.S. Senate campaign, he violated Missouri's open records law by withholding emails between his out-of-state political consultants and his taxpayer-funded staff.
2018: Hawley and McCaskill on Khashoggi Assassination
During a debate in the 2018 Senate campaign, Josh Hawley and Claire McCaskill agreed that the U.S. should respond severely if the Saudi government was confirmed to be behind the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi.
2018: Position on Right-to-Work Legislation
During his 2018 Senate campaign, Josh Hawley didn't take a firm position on right-to-work legislation in Missouri. His spokesperson stated that "nobody should be forced to pay union dues," regarding right-to-work, which would hamper labor unionizing.
2018: Hawley Criticizes McCaskill's Support for Iran Nuclear Deal
During his 2018 Senate campaign, Josh Hawley's press office criticized Claire McCaskill for supporting the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, suggesting she was siding with the mullahs and John Kerry instead of President Trump and Israel.
2018: Opposition to Missouri Minimum Wage Raise
In 2018, Josh Hawley expressed opposition to raising the Missouri minimum wage from $7.85/hour to $8.60 in 2019 and $12 by 2023.
2018: U.S. Senate election
In 2018, Josh Hawley ran for the Republican nomination in Missouri's U.S. Senate election for the seat held by Democrat Claire McCaskill.
2018: NRA Rating and Gun Control Stance
In 2018, Josh Hawley received a 93% rating from the National Rifle Association (NRA). During his Senate campaign in 2018, Hawley used National Media as a media consultant, the same firm the NRA employs. While he doesn't support an assault weapons ban, he supports strengthening background checks, banning bump stocks, and preventing mentally ill individuals from owning guns.
2018: Support for Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court Nomination
In 2018, Josh Hawley's first commercial in his Senate campaign focused on supporting Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. After Kavanaugh was accused of sexual assault, Hawley defended him and accused Democrats of staging an "ambush".
2018: Criticism of the Affordable Care Act
In 2018, during his Senate campaign, Josh Hawley criticized the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and highlighted his support for protections for individuals with preexisting conditions. He later wrote about creating a taxpayer subsidy to reimburse insurance companies for covering high-cost patients.
January 3, 2019: Sworn in as U.S. senator
On January 3, 2019, Josh Hawley was sworn in as a U.S. senator.
January 2019: Hawley Votes to Block Lifting of Sanctions on Russian Companies
In January 2019, Josh Hawley was one of 11 Republican senators to vote for legislation aimed at blocking Trump's intended lifting of sanctions on three Russian companies.
February 28, 2019: Investigation Closed Due to Insufficient Evidence
On February 28, 2019, Jay Ashcroft closed the investigation because there was insufficient evidence that "an offense has been committed" regarding the possible misappropriation of public funds.
April 3, 2019: Sponsorship of the VERDAD Act
On April 3, 2019, Josh Hawley joined a bipartisan group to sponsor the Venezuelan Emergency Relief, Democracy Assistance and Development (VERDAD) Act. This bill aimed to recognize Juan Guaidó as the president of Venezuela, provide $200 million in aid for Venezuela and neighboring countries, revoke U.S. visas from sanctioned Venezuelan officials, and remove sanctions on officials not accused of human rights abuses who recognized Guaidó.
June 2019: Role in preventing Michael S. Bogren's appointment
In June 2019, Josh Hawley played a major role in preventing Trump nominee Michael S. Bogren from being appointed as a district judge for the Western District of Michigan, accusing Bogren of "anti-religious animus".
July 16, 2019: Hawley Speaks at National Conservatism Conference
On July 16, 2019, at the National Conservatism Conference, organized by Israeli professor Yoram Hazony, Josh Hawley spoke.
August 2019: Introduction of the SMART Act
In August 2019, Josh Hawley introduced the Social Media Addiction Reduction Technology (SMART) Act. This bill aimed to ban features like infinite scrolling and auto-play to reduce internet addiction, limiting platform use to 30 minutes per day unless settings are manually changed monthly.
September 2019: Referral of former priests for prosecution
In September 2019, Josh Hawley's successor, Eric Schmitt, the attorney general, referred 12 former priests for prosecution based on charges of sexual abuse of minors, following up on the investigation initiated by Hawley.
October 2019: Visit to Hong Kong during protests
During the Hong Kong protests in October 2019, Josh Hawley visited Hong Kong and spoke in favor of the protests. He called the city a "police state", which was criticized by Chief Executive of Hong Kong Carrie Lam.
October 2019: Hawley on Joe Biden and Ukraine
In October 2019, Josh Hawley called for an independent investigation into Joe Biden related to alleged dealings with Ukraine. He also defended Donald Trump's phone call with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.
October 2019: Hawley Visits Hong Kong and Comments on Twitter
In October 2019, Josh Hawley visited Hong Kong to observe the protests and commented on Twitter that Beijing was trying to turn Hong Kong into a "police state".
October 21, 2019: Hawley Attacks Washington Post Reporter Greg Sargent
On October 21, 2019, Josh Hawley attacked Jewish Washington Post reporter Greg Sargent as a "smug, rich liberal elitist".
November 6, 2019: Hawley Recommends Sanctions on Mexican Officials
On November 6, 2019, Josh Hawley recommended that the U.S. impose sanctions and freeze assets of Mexican officials he believed were not adequately addressing Mexican drug cartels.
November 18, 2019: Announces National Security and Personal Data Protection Act
On November 18, 2019, Josh Hawley announced the National Security and Personal Data Protection Act, which would make it illegal for American companies to store user data or encryption keys in China. The bill might cause problems for companies such as Apple and TikTok.
November 19, 2019: U.S. Senate Passes Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act
On November 19, 2019, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, which Josh Hawley co-sponsored.
2019: Hawley on Abqaiq-Khurais Attack
After the 2019 Abqaiq–Khurais attack, Josh Hawley said that the U.S. should not attack anyone on behalf of Saudi Arabia.
2019: Opposition to Missouri Minimum Wage Raise
In 2019, Josh Hawley expressed opposition to raising the Missouri minimum wage from $7.85/hour to $8.60 in 2019 and $12 by 2023.
2019: Hawley criticizes NBA
In 2019, Josh Hawley sent a letter to NBA commissioner Adam Silver criticizing the league for allowing players to put messages on their jerseys supporting the Black Lives Matter movement but not the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests or law enforcement officers.
March 2020: Proposal of "No TikTok on Government Devices Act"
In March 2020, Josh Hawley and other senators proposed the "No TikTok on Government Devices Act". The act aimed to prevent federal employees from downloading the app TikTok, which Hawley had previously described as "a Chinese-owned social media platform so popular among teens that Mark Zuckerberg is reportedly spooked".
April 2020: Hawley's Proposal to Pay Businesses During COVID-19
In April 2020, Josh Hawley proposed that the U.S. government pay businesses to keep their workers on payroll for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and rehire any workers who had already been laid off.
May 5, 2020: Call for Abolition of WTO
On May 5, 2020, Josh Hawley called for the abolition of the World Trade Organization in The New York Times. He argued that it didn't serve American interests and had "enabled the rise of China." He introduced a resolution to withdraw the U.S. from the WTO shortly afterward.
June 2020: Criticism of Bostock v. Clayton County Supreme Court Ruling
In June 2020, following the Supreme Court's ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County that federal law prohibits workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, Josh Hawley criticized the decision, stating it "represents the end of the conservative legal movement".
July 10, 2020: Hawley Criticizes NBA and Wojnarowski Responds
On July 10, 2020, Josh Hawley sent a letter to NBA commissioner Adam Silver criticizing the league for allowing players to put messages on their jerseys supporting the Black Lives Matter movement but not the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests. ESPN reporter Adrian Wojnarowski responded, "Fuck You," leading to his temporary suspension.
July 2020: Hawley on Russian Bounty Program
In July 2020, Josh Hawley said he did not believe news reports about a Russian bounty program funding the Taliban but stated that there would be punishment if such a program existed.
July 2020: Hawley on Supreme Court Nominee and Roe v. Wade
In July 2020, Josh Hawley wrote that to earn his support, a Supreme Court nominee must have publicly asserted that Roe v. Wade was incorrectly decided.
August 10, 2020: China Sanctions Hawley
On August 10, 2020, the Chinese government sanctioned Josh Hawley and 10 other Americans for "behaving badly on Hong Kong-related issues".
September 9, 2020: Shortlisted for Supreme Court Nomination
On September 9, 2020, President Trump announced that Josh Hawley, along with Ted Cruz and Tom Cotton, were on his shortlist for potential nominations to the Supreme Court. While Hawley expressed appreciation, he declined the offer, stating that Missourians elected him to serve them in the Senate.
September 23, 2020: Hawley Criticizes NBA's Business in China
On September 23, 2020, Josh Hawley criticized Adam Silver and the NBA's business dealings in China, tweeting about "slave labor" and the NBA's financial gains.
October 27, 2020: Vote to Confirm Amy Coney Barrett
On October 27, 2020, Josh Hawley voted to confirm Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court.
December 2020: Hawley and Sanders Demand Stimulus Payments
In December 2020, Josh Hawley teamed up with Senator Bernie Sanders to demand that any new stimulus deal include direct payments of at least $1,200 to American workers.
December 30, 2020: Claims of election law failures in Pennsylvania
On December 30, 2020, Josh Hawley claimed that "some states, particularly Pennsylvania, failed to follow their own state election laws".
2020: Refusal to concede election
After Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election, Josh Hawley elevated false claims that President-elect Joe Biden stole the election and attempted to reverse the election result.
2020: Romney's Criticism of Hawley's Actions in the 2020 Presidential Election
In McCay Coppins's 2023 biography of Mitt Romney, Romney: A Reckoning, regarding the 2020 presidential election, Romney stated that Hawley "doesn't see a future of working with him on anything" due to Hawley's obstructions to certifying electoral votes.
2020: Salute to protestors before Capitol riot
On January 6, 2021, before the counting of the electoral votes for the 2020 presidential election, Josh Hawley was photographed saluting the protestors with a raised fist outside the Capitol before the riot.
January 4, 2021: Home vandalized and family threatened
On January 4, 2021, Josh Hawley tweeted that his Washington, D.C. home had been vandalized and his family had been threatened by "Antifa scumbags" in an act of "leftwing violence" due to his claims of fraud. He said he was in Missouri at the time.
January 6, 2021: Objected to certification of Electoral College vote
On January 6, 2021, Josh Hawley announced his intention to object to the Senate's certification of the Electoral College vote count. He was the first senator to do so. Hawley said that his attempt to reverse the election result was on behalf of those "concerned about election integrity."
January 19, 2021: Hawley Blocks Confirmation of Alejandro Mayorkas
On January 19, 2021, Josh Hawley blocked the quick confirmation of Department of Homeland Security secretary nominee Alejandro Mayorkas.
February 8, 2021: Voted against Denis McDonough's nomination
On February 8, 2021, after he voted against the nomination of Denis McDonough for Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Josh Hawley became the only senator to vote against all of President Joe Biden's cabinet nominees except Cecilia Rouse.
February 2021: Repeated assertion about Pennsylvania election laws
In a February 2021 fundraising email, Josh Hawley repeated his assertion that "some states, particularly Pennsylvania, failed to follow their own state election laws".
May 2021: Publication of "The Tyranny of Big Tech"
In May 2021, Josh Hawley's book "The Tyranny of Big Tech" was published. The book criticizes Big Tech and social media companies, advocating for regulation of Internet companies. The Tyranny of Big Tech raises valid concerns about the technology industry, and he proposes solutions worth taking seriously.
May 28, 2021: Hawley Voted Against Riot Commission
On May 28, 2021, Josh Hawley voted against creating an independent commission to investigate the January 6th riot.
June 2021: Hawley Calls for Fauci's Resignation
In June 2021, Josh Hawley called for Anthony Fauci to resign from his role as Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
2021: Hawley Calls on Biden to Resign After Fall of Kabul
After the 2021 fall of Kabul and the 2021 Kabul airport attack, Josh Hawley was one in "a wave of other Republicans" who called on President Biden to resign.
2021: Supports increase of coronavirus relief checks
In 2021, Josh Hawley joined President Donald Trump in his calls for an increase of the initial $600 coronavirus relief checks to $2,000. He attempted to force a vote to increase the checks, but it was blocked by other Republican senators.
2021: Support for a $15 Minimum Wage for Large Businesses
In 2021, Josh Hawley voiced his support for a $15 minimum wage specifically for businesses with over $1 billion in annual revenue.
2021: New York Post Investigation of questionable campaign expenditures
In 2021, a New York Post investigation revealed that Hawley apparently illegally spent such funds. Hawley's office said he had reimbursed the campaign for the inappropriate expenditures.
January 2022: Pennsylvania appellate court supports Hawley's view
In January 2022, a Pennsylvania appellate court supported Josh Hawley's view about election laws.
January 27, 2022: Pennsylvania Appellate Court Ruling on Election
On January 27, 2022, a Pennsylvania appellate court ruling supported Josh Hawley's claim that Pennsylvania election officials had violated the state's constitution; however, this ruling was later overturned by the State Supreme Court, and the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the case.
May 19, 2022: Hawley Votes Against Ukraine Aid Package
During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Josh Hawley was one of 11 Republican senators to vote against a $40 billion emergency military and humanitarian aid package for Ukraine on May 19, 2022.
July 21, 2022: House Select Committee Broadcasts Video of Hawley Running
On July 21, 2022, the House Select Committee broadcast video footage of Josh Hawley running through the halls of Congress to escape the mob on January 6th, contrasting it with his earlier encouragement of the crowd. The video provoked laughter and commentary.
August 3, 2022: Sole vote against Sweden and Finland joining NATO
On August 3, 2022, Josh Hawley cast the sole vote against the Senate resolution agreeing to Sweden and Finland joining the NATO defense alliance, which passed 95-1. Hawley stated the resolutions were not in America's best interest, with China posing a greater threat than Russia.
November 14, 2022: Hawley Violated Missouri's Open Records Law
On November 14, 2022, Cole County Circuit Court Judge Jon Beetem ruled that Hawley violated Missouri's open records law during his 2018 U.S. Senate campaign by withholding emails between his out-of-state political consultants and his taxpayer-funded staff. Beetem granted summary judgment and fined the AG's office $12,000.
March 2023: Carlson Criticizes Footage of Hawley Running
In March 2023, Tucker Carlson criticized the footage of Josh Hawley running as "deceptively edited," claiming the committee did not show other senators fleeing. FactCheck.org concluded that Carlson's statement was misleading.
December 2023: Reliance on private jets
Between mid-December 2023 and June 2024, Hawley spent $132,000 on private jets in his campaign.
2023: Hawley Cosponsors Amendment to Expand Radiation Exposure Compensation Act
In 2023, Josh Hawley cosponsored an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act to reauthorize and expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act; however, it was stripped from the final version.
2023: Opposition to Missouri Minimum Wage Raise
In 2023, Josh Hawley expressed opposition to raising the Missouri minimum wage from $7.85/hour to $8.60 in 2019 and $12 by 2023.
2023: Hawley Introduces Ending Corporate Influence on Elections Act
In 2023, Josh Hawley introduced the Ending Corporate Influence on Elections Act, a bill that would reverse aspects of Citizens United v. FEC.
2023: Support for United Auto Workers
In 2023, Josh Hawley shifted his stance on union issues, joining United Auto Workers at a picket line and advocating for better wages and working conditions, stating that the company could afford to pay it.
2023: Court Demands Payment for Legal Fees
In 2023, the court demanded that the state pay more than $240,000 for the case's legal fees regarding the open records violation. An attorney suggested Hawley should use proceeds from his book Manhood: The Masculine Virtues America Needs rather than use taxpayer money.
2023: Romney's biography mentions Hawley
In McCay Coppins's 2023 biography of Mitt Romney, Romney: A Reckoning, Romney called Hawley "the smartest person in the room", but said he "doesn't see a future of working with him on anything" due to Hawley's obstructions to certifying electoral votes in the 2020 presidential election.
June 2024: Reliance on private jets
Between mid-December 2023 and June 2024, Hawley spent $132,000 on private jets in his campaign.
October 2024: Hawley on Taxes for Workers and Corporations
In October 2024, Josh Hawley stated that workers should not pay more taxes than corporations. He announced his reversal on the issue at a campaign event in Cottleville, Missouri.
October 2024: Hawley Speaks at Sean Feucht's Rally
In October 2024, Josh Hawley was a featured speaker at Sean Feucht's rally on the National Mall, calling for a revival to rebuild the country on "the truth of Jesus Christ".
2024: Continued Support for United Auto Workers
In 2024, Josh Hawley continued his support for United Auto Workers, joining them at a picket line and advocating for better wages and working conditions.
January 2025: Proposed Legislation Against Chinese AI Models
In January 2025, Josh Hawley proposed legislation to criminalize the use of Chinese-developed AI models like DeepSeek, with potential penalties including up to 20 years in prison and/or a $1 million fine. The bill also aimed to prohibit academic collaborations with AI researchers in China and obstruct transparency requirements as well as research developments outside proprietary Big Tech environments.
October 2025: Support for SNAP
In October 2025, Josh Hawley described the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as an "essential" "lifeline", "not an optional extra", and "one of our most vital forms of aid", stating, "nobody in America, this richest of nations, should go to bed hungry, and certainly no child".
2025: Op-Ed on Federal Food Assistance
During the 2025 federal government shutdown, Josh Hawley wrote an op-ed in The New York Times titled "No American Should Go to Bed Hungry". He wrote that on November 1, approximately 42 million Americans would lose federal food assistance and called for bipartisan cooperation to prevent this.
2025: Vote for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
In 2025, Hawley voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, despite criticizing its Medicaid provisions as "morally wrong and politically suicidal," expressing concerns about the potential loss of healthcare for Missouri workers and the closure of hospitals if Medicaid funding were cut.
2025: Co-sponsorship of $15 Minimum Wage Bill
In 2025, Josh Hawley is co-sponsoring a bill with Peter Welch to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, indexed to inflation, for all businesses. He also supported a tax credit for workers making less than $16.50 an hour.
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