Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Marsha Blackburn

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Marsha Blackburn.

Marsha Blackburn is an American politician and businesswoman currently serving as a senior United States Senator for Tennessee, elected in 2018. As a member of the Republican Party, she previously served as a Tennessee state senator from 1999 to 2003. She also represented Tennessee's 7th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2003 to 2019. Blackburn has a reputation for being among the House's most conservative members, according to the National Journal.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

2004: Blackburn voted to ban same-sex marriage

In 2004, Marsha Blackburn voted for proposed constitutional amendments to ban same-sex marriage.

2006: Blackburn voted to ban same-sex marriage

In 2006, Marsha Blackburn voted for proposed constitutional amendments to ban same-sex marriage.

2009: Sponsored Legislation on Birth Certificates

In 2009, Marsha Blackburn sponsored legislation requiring presidential candidates to show their birth certificates, in response to "birther" theories about Barack Obama.

2009: Blackburn voted against the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act

In 2009, Marsha Blackburn voted against the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act.

2010: Blackburn voted against repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy

In 2010, Marsha Blackburn voted against repealing the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.

October 2013: Blackburn criticizes healthcare.gov for HIPAA violations

During October 2013 congressional hearings on the ACA, Marsha Blackburn claimed that the website healthcare.gov violated HIPAA and health information privacy rights, even after being challenged on the limited scope of health-related questions asked by the site.

2013: Managed Debate on Abortion Bill

In 2013, Marsha Blackburn managed debate on a bill that would have prohibited abortions after 22 weeks' gestation, with limited exceptions.

2013: Blackburn voted against Senate's version of Violence Against Women Act

In 2013, Marsha Blackburn voted against the Senate's version of the Violence Against Women Act, arguing it would dilute funding for women's shelters by expanding the act's application to people regardless of sexual orientation.

2014: Climate Change Debate

In 2014, Marsha Blackburn rejected the scientific consensus on climate change during a debate with Bill Nye, claiming there is no consensus in the scientific community about the causes of climate change.

2015: Led Panel Investigating Planned Parenthood

In 2015, Marsha Blackburn led a panel that investigated the Planned Parenthood undercover video controversy.

2015: Blackburn responds to Obergefell v. Hodges decision

In 2015, regarding the Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, Marsha Blackburn stated her belief that marriage is a sacred institution between a man and a woman.

March 2016: Chaired Select Investigative Panel

In March 2016, Marsha Blackburn chaired the Republican-led Select Investigative Panel, a committee convened to "explore the ethical implications of using fetal tissue in biomedical research".

2017: Blackburn's legislation revised DEA standard

According to The New York Times, in 2017 Blackburn's legislation revised the legal standard the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) used to establish risk before suspending opioid drug shipments, a move criticized for hampering DEA enforcement.

2017: Blackburn supported Trump's travel ban

In 2017, Marsha Blackburn supported Trump's executive order imposing a temporary travel and immigration ban barring citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S.

2017: Senate Campaign Advertisement

In 2017, when Marsha Blackburn announced she was running for Senate, she ran a controversial advertisement saying that she "fought Planned Parenthood and we stopped the sale of baby body parts".

2017: Blackburn argues for ACA repeal

In 2017, while arguing for the repeal of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), Marsha Blackburn falsely stated that certain provisions of the act were Republican ideas.

June 2018: Blackburn publishes op-ed on tech regulation

In June 2018, Marsha Blackburn published an op-ed advocating for increased regulation of technology companies, which sparked backlash among Google employees.

August 2019: Blackburn co-signed amicus brief against LGBT employment discrimination

In August 2019, Marsha Blackburn co-signed an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court arguing that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 does not prohibit employment discrimination based upon sexual orientation or gender identity.

November 2019: #MoscowMarcia Trending on Twitter

In November 2019, #MoscowMarcia started trending on Twitter after Marsha Blackburn tweeted allegations against Alexander Vindman during Trump's first Senate impeachment trial.

December 2020: Controversial Tweet and Response

In December 2020, Marsha Blackburn posted a controversial tweet about China, leading to a heated exchange with a Chinese official on Twitter and protests from the Tennessee Chinese American Alliance.

2020: Blackburn claims tech companies stifle free speech

During a 2020 Commerce Committee hearing, Marsha Blackburn claimed that tech companies stifle free speech and questioned Google's chief Sundar Pichai about the employment status of an employee who had criticized her.

2020: Blackburn supports Trump's false victory claims

In 2020, after Biden won the United States presidential election, Marsha Blackburn supported Trump's false claims of victory and fundraised to support the Trump campaign's efforts to overturn the election results in court.

January 2, 2021: Blackburn to oppose election certification

On January 2, 2021, Marsha Blackburn and 10 other Republican senators announced their intent to oppose the certification of the 2020 United States presidential election results during the January 6th joint session of Congress, citing unsubstantiated claims of widespread election fraud and irregularities.

March 2021: Blackburn visits southern border, criticizes Biden's immigration policy

In March 2021, Marsha Blackburn visited the southern border of the United States with other Republican senators, accusing President Biden of encouraging illegal immigration.

May 2021: Blackburn abstains from January 6 commission vote

In May 2021, Marsha Blackburn abstained from voting on the creation of the January 6 commission.

2021: Blackburn likens Biden's proposal to communist policies

In 2021, Marsha Blackburn likened President Biden's proposal for universal pre-K and subsidized child care to the communist policies of the Soviet Union, falsely claiming the administration intended to place children in pre-K against their parents' wishes.

March 2022: Called Griswold v. Connecticut "constitutionally unsound"

In March 2022, Marsha Blackburn called Griswold v. Connecticut, a landmark Supreme Court decision protecting the right to contraception, "constitutionally unsound".

March 22, 2022: Blackburn questions Ketanji Brown Jackson about definition of 'woman'

On March 22, 2022, during the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson, Marsha Blackburn questioned Jackson about the definition of the word 'woman'.

August 2022: Congressional Delegation to Taiwan

In August 2022, Marsha Blackburn led a congressional delegation to Taiwan, where she met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and voiced support for Taiwan's independence.

March 2023: Newsom criticizes Blackburn for NRA donations and gun control votes

In March 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized Marsha Blackburn for accepting over $1 million in campaign donations from the National Rifle Association of America and voting against gun control measures.