Major Controversies Surrounding Kyrsten Sinema: A Detailed Timeline
Public opinion and media debates around Kyrsten Sinema—discover key moments of controversy.
Kyrsten Sinema is an American politician who served as a U.S. Senator for Arizona from 2019 to 2025. Initially a Democrat, she became an independent in December 2022. Prior to her political career, Sinema worked as a social worker.
September 12, 2001: Opposed to War
Kyrsten Sinema opposed "war in all its forms" from September 12, 2001.
February 15, 2003: Anti-War Protest
On February 15, 2003, Sinema led a group that distributed flyers portraying a U.S. service member as a skeleton, during an anti-war protest in Phoenix.
2005: Co-hosted Air America radio show
In 2005, Kyrsten Sinema co-hosted an Air America radio show with 9/11 truther Jeff Farias.
2006: Opposition to War
In 2006, Kyrsten Sinema stated her opposition to "war in all its forms" and mentioned being a core organizer against war from day one (September 12, 2001).
2006: "Leeching Off Husbands" Controversy
In 2006, Sinema made controversial comments about women who "leech off" their husbands, later apologizing for her remarks.
2011: Netroots Nation Address
In 2011, Sinema called Arizona the "meth lab of democracy" in an address to Netroots Nation.
March 2018: Donated Ed Buck Contributions to Charity
In March 2018, Sinema donated campaign contributions received from Ed Buck to charity.
January 6, 2021: Urged support for January 6th Commission
On January 6, 2021, Kyrsten Sinema urged her Senate colleagues to vote in favor of the proposed January 6 commission to further investigate the storming of the United States Capitol, however she did not vote on it citing a "personal family matter".
February 12, 2021: Announced opposition to $15/hour minimum wage in COVID-19 relief bill
On February 12, 2021, Kyrsten Sinema announced her opposition to including a $15/hour minimum wage as part of a COVID-19 relief bill.
March 5, 2021: Voted against $15/hour minimum wage
On March 5, 2021, Kyrsten Sinema voted against an increase of the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, proposed by Senator Bernie Sanders as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, garnering both criticism and comparisons to John McCain and Marie Antoinette.
January 2022: Vote Against Filibuster Rule Change
In January 2022, Kyrsten Sinema and Democratic Senate colleague Joe Manchin voted against changing the Senate filibuster rule, resulting in censure from the Arizona Democratic Party executive committee.
January 22, 2022: Censured by Arizona Democratic Party
On January 22, 2022, the Arizona Democratic Party executive board voted to censure Kyrsten Sinema for voting with Senate Republicans to maintain the filibuster, preventing passage of a voting rights bill.
February 24, 2022: Met with critics after pressure campaign
On February 24, 2022, Kyrsten Sinema's office met with critics after a pressure campaign by the Arizona Youth Climate Coalition and the Tucson Climate Coalition urging her to abolish the modern filibuster, though the meeting was ultimately unsuccessful.
