Major Controversies Surrounding Steve Scalise: A Detailed Timeline

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Steve Scalise.

Stephen Joseph Scalise, a Republican politician, has represented Louisiana's 1st congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2008. He ascended to the position of House Majority Leader in 2023. Prior to this, Scalise served as House Majority Whip from 2014 to 2019 and then as House Minority Whip from 2019 until assuming his current leadership role. His career reflects a steady rise within the Republican Party ranks in the House.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

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. He later stated he was unaware of the group's racist nature and apologized for speaking to them.

January 23, 2012: Stop Online Piracy Act Withdrawn

On January 23, 2012, the Stop Online Piracy Act, which Steve Scalise co-sponsored, was withdrawn.

December 2012: Dismissal of Derek Khanna

In December 2012, Steve Scalise, as chairman of the Republican Study Committee, dismissed Derek Khanna due to pressure from content industry lobbyists.

2013: Violence Against Women Act Vote

In 2013, Steve Scalise voted against reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act.

2014: Praised Robicheaux v. Caldwell ruling

In 2014, Steve Scalise praised the Robicheaux v. Caldwell ruling, and has a zero rating from the LGBT advocacy group Human Rights Campaign.

2014: Attendance at EURO conference publicized

In 2014, Steve Scalise's 2002 attendance at the EURO conference was publicized, leading to allegations that he had once called himself "David Duke without the baggage".

2017: Continued Gun Rights Support

Following the shooting and the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, Steve Scalise reiterated his support for gun rights on Meet the Press.

2017: Support for Travel Ban

In 2017, Steve Scalise supported President Donald Trump's executive order temporarily banning citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S.

2017: Capitol attack condemned

Steve Scalise condemned the Capitol attack as terrorism and compared it to the Congressional baseball shooting in 2017, emphasizing that violent rhetoric can radicalize people.

2020: Controversy surrounding presidential election

Aftermath of controversy surrounding the 2020 presidential election.

2020: Spread doctored video of Ady Barkan

In 2020, Steve Scalise spread a doctored video depicting Ady Barkan asking Joe Biden about defunding the police. After criticism and being flagged by Twitter, Scalise deleted the video.

January 6, 2021: Vote to Decertify Election Results

On January 6, 2021, Steve Scalise voted to de-certify President-elect Biden's victories in Arizona and Pennsylvania.

February 2021: Refusal to Acknowledge Election Legitimacy

In February 2021, Steve Scalise refused to acknowledge that the 2020 election was not stolen or fraudulent.

May 2021: Call for Liz Cheney's Ouster

In May 2021, Steve Scalise called for the ouster of Liz Cheney as House Republican Conference chair.

October 2021: Interview with Chris Wallace

In October 2021, during an interview with Fox News anchor Chris Wallace, Steve Scalise refused to acknowledge Donald Trump's loss in the 2020 presidential election.