Major Controversies Surrounding Steve Scalise: A Detailed Timeline
Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Steve Scalise.
Steve Scalise is an American politician currently serving as the House Majority Leader since 2023. He has represented Louisiana's 1st congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2008. A Republican, Scalise previously held the position of House Majority Whip from 2014 to 2019 and House Minority Whip from 2019 to 2023, demonstrating his long-standing involvement and leadership within the Republican Party in the House.
2002: Spoke at EURO convention
In 2002, Steve Scalise spoke at a convention for the European-American Unity and Rights Organization (EURO), a group founded by David Duke, concerning state tax legislation.
2006: Hodgkinson had Police Encounters
In 2006, Hodgkinson had encounters with police involving violence or firearms
2011: Co-sponsor of Stop Online Piracy Act
In 2011, Scalise became a co-sponsor of Bill H.R. 3261, otherwise known as the Stop Online Piracy Act.
January 23, 2012: Stop Online Piracy Act Withdrawn
On January 23, 2012, Bill H.R. 3261, otherwise known as the Stop Online Piracy Act, which Scalise co-sponsored, was withdrawn.
December 2012: Dismissal of Derek Khanna
In December 2012, Scalise dismissed Derek Khanna due to pressure from content industry lobbyists after the study committee published a memo advocating copyright reform.
2013: Votes Against Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization
In 2013, Scalise voted against reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act.
2014: EURO Convention Attendance Publicized
In 2014, Scalise's 2002 attendance at the EURO conference became public after political blogger Lamar White, Jr. uncovered anonymous comments on a white supremacist website referencing Scalise as a speaker. Stephanie Grace also alleged that Scalise had once called himself "David Duke without the baggage".
2014: Praised Robicheaux v. Caldwell Ruling
Scalise praised the 2014 Robicheaux v. Caldwell ruling.
January 2017: Hodgkinson Closed Business
In January 2017, Hodgkinson closed down his business.
June 14, 2017: Scalise Shot During Baseball Practice
On June 14, 2017, Scalise was shot and seriously wounded during a practice for the Congressional Baseball Game by an anti-Trump domestic terrorist.
2017: Gun Rights Supporter
After being shot and in the wake of the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, Scalise reaffirmed his support for gun rights.
2017: Supported Trump's Executive Order
In 2017, Scalise supported President Donald Trump's executive order temporarily banning citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S.
2017: Congressional Baseball Shooting Comparison
Scalise compared the Capitol attack to the Congressional baseball shooting in 2017.
2020: Spread doctored video
In 2020, Scalise spread a doctored video depicting Ady Barkan asking Joe Biden about defunding the police. After being asked to delete the video and apologize, Scalise deleted the video. The video was flagged by Twitter as manipulated media.
2020: Controversy Surrounding Election
Scalise refused to acknowledge Trump's loss during the controversy surrounding the 2020 presidential election
January 6, 2021: Voted to De-certify Election Results
On January 6, 2021, Scalise voted to de-certify President-elect Biden's victories in Arizona and Pennsylvania.
February 2021: Refused to Acknowledge Election Legitimacy
In February 2021, Scalise refused to acknowledge that the 2020 election was not stolen or fraudulent.
May 2021: Called for Ouster of Liz Cheney
In May 2021, Scalise called for the ouster of Liz Cheney as House Republican Conference chair.
October 2021: Refusal to Acknowledge Trump's Loss
In October 2021, Scalise refused to acknowledge the loss of president Donald Trump in an interview with Fox News.
