Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Thom Tillis

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

Thom Tillis is a Republican politician serving as a U.S. Senator for North Carolina since 2015. Prior to his Senate tenure, he was a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from 2007 to 2015, holding the position of State House speaker from 2011. Tillis was elected to the Senate in 2014, defeating incumbent Kay Hagan, and secured reelection in 2020. He assumed the role of the state's senior U.S. senator upon Richard Burr's retirement in 2023.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals

1976: Reference to the Copyright Act of 1976

In April 2020, during a discussion regarding the Internet Archive's "National Emergency Library", the Internet Archive cited that the Copyright Act of 1976 "provides flexibility to libraries and others to adjust to changing circumstances."

2010: Opposed increasing North Carolina's minimum wage

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

2011: Divide and conquer remark

In 2011, Tillis made controversial remarks about dividing and conquering people on public assistance, which drew criticism when publicized later during his Senate run.

2011: Helped pass abortion law

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

2012: Voted to defund Planned Parenthood

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

2012: Presided over controversial voting legislation

In 2012, after Republican Pat McCrory was elected governor, Tillis presided over legislation reducing early voting days, invalidating ballots cast outside one's precinct, and requiring specific kinds of photo ID in order to vote, which was later struck down by the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

2012: Role in North Carolina Amendment 1

In 2012, while serving as speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives, Thom Tillis played a key role in advocating for North Carolina Amendment 1, which banned same-sex marriage and civil unions in the state.

2013: Supported motorcycle safety bill

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

2014: NRA Spending During 2014 Senate Campaign

During Thom Tillis' 2014 Senate campaign, the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) spent $4.4 million, with half supporting Tillis and half opposing his opponent, Hagan.

2014: Campaign used Cambridge Analytica for microtargeting

During the 2014 campaign, the Tillis campaign and the North Carolina Republican Party paid $345,000 to Cambridge Analytica for voter microtargeting, using "psychographic profiles for all voters in North Carolina".

2014: Protests and Arrests in Tillis's Office

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

2014: Appeal of Ruling on Amendment 1

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

2014: Denied climate change was occurring

In 2014, Tillis denied that climate change was occurring.

2014: Opposed increasing federal minimum wage

In 2014, Tillis opposed increasing the federal minimum wage.

2014: Spokesman stated Tillis would support personhood bill

In 2014, a 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 certain cases and if women would continue to have access to contraceptives.

2014: Received significant 'dark money' in election

In the 2014 election, Tillis received $22,888,975 in 'dark money,' which was a substantial portion of the outside spending supporting him.

2015: Coffee shop hand washing regulation comment

In 2015, Tillis suggested coffee-shop companies should be able to 'opt out' of hand-washing regulations if they post a sign indicating they don't require it, stating that 'the market will take care of that'.

2015: Voted against amendment acknowledging climate change

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

2016: Opposed filling Supreme Court vacancy

In 2016, Tillis opposed filling the then Supreme Court vacancy until after the election, arguing it should be left to the next president.

2016: Called Trump's comments 'indefensible'

In 2016, after the release of the Access Hollywood tape, Tillis called Trump's comments 'indefensible'.

March 2017: Vote on Broadband Consumer Privacy Proposal

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

2017: Called on Trump to withdraw from Paris Agreement

In 2017, Tillis called on Trump to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement.

2018: Beneficiary of NRA Funding in Congress

As of 2018, Thom Tillis was the third-largest beneficiary of funding from the National Rifle Association (NRA) in Congress.

2018: Expressed belief in climate change

In 2018, 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: Legislation to Compensate for ACA Preexisting Conditions Requirement

In 2018, amid attempts to repeal the ACA, Thom Tillis introduced legislation intended to compensate for the ACA's requirement that insurers cover people with preexisting conditions. The bill was criticized for loopholes, and Tillis later stated it was intended to start a discussion.

February 2019: Opposition to Trump's National Emergency Declaration

In February 2019, Thom Tillis wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post opposing President Trump's national emergency declaration concerning the southern border, citing concerns about executive overreach. The declaration diverted funding from the Department of Defense to build a border wall between the United States and Mexico.

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

In April 2020, Thom Tillis, as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee's intellectual property panel, expressed concerns that the Internet Archive's "National Emergency Library" initiative, which expanded access to its 1.4 million-book collection during the COVID-19 shutdown, violated copyright law.

May 2020: Vote Against Amendment to FISA

In May 2020, Thom Tillis voted against an amendment to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) that would have barred warrantless surveillance of web browser history.

September 2020: Status of Medicaid Expansion in North Carolina

As of September 2020, North Carolina remained one of only 12 states not to have expanded Medicaid, due to legislation Thom Tillis led in the state House of Representatives, which prevented the governor from expanding the program.

September 2020: Supported immediate vote on Trump's nominee

In September 2020, with less than two months to the next presidential election, Tillis supported an immediate vote on President Trump's nominee for the Supreme Court.

October 2020: Cunningham acknowledged extramarital affair

In October 2020, Democratic nominee Cal Cunningham acknowledged having an extramarital affair, reducing his lead in the polls against Tillis.

2020: Support for Soleimani Assassination

In 2020, Thom Tillis expressed support for the US military's assassination of Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani via drone strike at Baghdad International Airport.

2020: Pressure and Reversal on Emergency Declaration

In 2020, after facing pressure from President Trump and conservatives, Thom Tillis reversed his previous opposition and voted in favor of Trump's national emergency declaration concerning the southern border.

2020: Tried to remake himself

In his 2020 Senate campaign, Inside Climate News described 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'.

May 28, 2021: Vote Against Independent Commission for Capitol Attack

On May 28, 2021, Thom Tillis voted against the creation of an independent commission to investigate the January 6, 2021, United States Capitol attack.

2022: Vote Against Honoring our PACT Act

In 2022, Thom Tillis was among the 11 senators who voted against the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022, which aimed to fund research and benefits for up to 3.5 million veterans exposed to toxic substances during their service. Tillis expressed concerns regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs' ability to effectively implement the legislation.

2023: North Carolina Republican Party censured Tillis

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

June 2025: Opposed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

In June 2025, Tillis opposed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act due to concerns about Medicaid cuts. As a result, Trump threatened to support primary challengers against him.

2025: Allegations Regarding Hegseth Nomination

In 2025, Thom Tillis allegedly told Pete Hegseth's ex-sister-in-law that a sworn statement about Hegseth's alcohol abuse and abuse of his second wife would influence his vote on Hegseth's nomination. After she provided the statement, Tillis ultimately voted to confirm Hegseth despite initial concerns.