Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Thom Tillis

Public opinion and media debates around Thom Tillis—discover key moments of controversy.

Thom Tillis is the senior U.S. Senator from North Carolina, serving since 2015. A Republican, he previously served in the North Carolina House of Representatives from 2007 to 2015, holding the Speaker position from 2011. Tillis won his Senate seat in 2014, defeating incumbent Kay Hagan and was reelected in 2020. He assumed the role of senior senator upon Richard Burr's retirement in 2023. His career reflects a consistent involvement in North Carolina politics and the Republican Party.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals

2010: Opposed Minimum Wage Increase

In 2010, Thom Tillis opposed increasing North Carolina's minimum wage from $7.25 an hour.

2011: Supported Ultrasound Law

In 2011, as speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives, Thom Tillis helped the House pass a law requiring abortion providers to perform an ultrasound on women seeking abortions four hours before the procedure.

2011: Divide and Conquer Speech

In a 2011 speech, Thom Tillis said, "What we have to do is find a way to divide and conquer the people who are on assistance".

2012: Voted to defund Planned Parenthood

In 2012, Thom Tillis voted to defund Planned Parenthood in North Carolina.

2012: Pushed for North Carolina Amendment 1

In 2012, Thom Tillis, as speaker of the North Carolina House, played a leading role in pushing for North Carolina Amendment 1, a state constitutional amendment that banned same-sex marriage and civil unions.

2012: Legislation reducing early voting days

In 2012, after Republican Pat McCrory was elected governor, Thom Tillis presided over legislation that reduced early voting days, invalidated ballots cast outside one's precinct, and required specific kinds of photo ID in order to vote.

2013: Supported Motorcycle Safety Bill

In 2013, Thom Tillis supported a motorcycle safety bill that had been surreptitiously amended to include restrictions on abortion.

2014: Campaign Paid Cambridge Analytica

During the 2014 campaign, the Tillis campaign and the North Carolina Republican Party paid $345,000 to the data analysis firm Cambridge Analytica to microtarget voters.

2014: Protests and Arrests

In 2014, 14 people protesting cuts to the earned income tax credits program and Thom Tillis's refusal to expand Medicaid were arrested after staging a sit-in in his office.

2014: Appealed Ruling That Amendment 1 Was Unconstitutional

In 2014, Thom Tillis appealed a ruling that North Carolina Amendment 1, which banned same-sex marriage and civil unions, was unconstitutional.

2014: Denied climate change

In 2014, Thom Tillis denied that climate change was occurring.

2014: Opposed Increasing Federal Minimum Wage

In 2014, Thom Tillis opposed increasing the federal minimum wage.

2014: Supported Personhood Bill

In 2014, a Thom Tillis spokesman told The Washington Post that Tillis would support a personhood bill if it were brought to the Senate floor, but only if abortion would continue to be legal "in cases of rape, incest and when the life of the mother is in danger" and if women would continue to "have access to contraceptives."

2014: Dark Money

In the 2014 election, Thom Tillis received $22,888,975 in "dark money", which constituted 81% of non-party outside spending in support.

2015: Opt-Out Hand-Washing Regulations

In 2015, Thom Tillis said coffee-shop companies should be able to "opt out" of hand-washing regulations "as long as they post a sign that says, 'We don't require our employees to wash their hands after leaving the restroom.'

2015: Voted against an amendment

In 2015, Thom Tillis voted against an amendment acknowledging climate change and the contribution of human activity.

2016: Trump's comments "indefensible"

After the release of the Access Hollywood tape during the 2016 United States presidential election, Tillis called Trump's comments "indefensible".

March 2017: Voted for Broadband Consumer Privacy Proposal

In March 2017, Thom Tillis voted for the Broadband Consumer Privacy Proposal that removed the FCC's internet privacy rules and allowed internet service providers to sell customers' browsing history without their permission.

2018: Believed climate change is happening

In 2018, Thom Tillis said he believed climate change is happening and that humans may contribute to it, but remained unclear about whether he agrees with the scientific consensus on climate change that it is human-caused.

2018: Introduced Legislation to Compensate for ACA Preexisting Conditions Requirement

In 2018, amid attempts to repeal the ACA, Thom Tillis introduced legislation to compensate for the ACA's requirement that insurers cover people with preexisting conditions, but it was criticized for loopholes. Tillis later said he could make improvements and that it was meant to start a discussion.

April 2020: Expressed Concerns About Internet Archive's National Emergency Library

In April 2020, Thom Tillis expressed concern that the Internet Archive's "National Emergency Library" initiative, which temporarily expanded access to its 1.4 million-book collection during the COVID-19 shutdown, violated copyright law.

2020: Reversed Position on Trump's Declaration

In 2020, Thom Tillis reversed his position and voted for Trump's emergency declaration after initially opposing it and facing pressure, including potential primary challenge.

2020: Tried to "remake himself"

In his 2020 Senate campaign, InsideClimate News described Thom Tillis as trying to "remake himself as a moderate proponent of market-based climate solutions" despite a "record as a fossil fuel advocate closely aligned with Trump".

2023: Censured by North Carolina Republican Party

In 2023, the North Carolina Republican Party voted to censure Thom Tillis, particularly over his stances on immigration and gay marriage.

2025: Involved in Allegations Concerning Hegseth Confirmation

In 2025, Thom Tillis allegedly told Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth's ex-sister-in-law that a sworn statement about Hegseth's alcohol abuse would "carry weight." Tillis voted to confirm Hegseth, citing lack of corroboration, despite initial concerns. Allegedly, President Trump threatened to support a primary challenge against him if he did not vote to confirm.

2025: Concerns about Medicaid cuts

In Juni 2025, Thom Tillis opposed about concerns about Medicaid cuts the "Big Beautifull Bill"; as a result, Trump threatened to support primary challengers against him.