Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Thom Tillis

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

Thom Tillis is an American politician and the senior United States Senator representing North Carolina since 2015. A Republican, he previously served in the North Carolina House of Representatives from 2007 to 2015, ascending to the role of Speaker from 2011 to 2015. His political career reflects a dedication to public service within North Carolina, culminating in his current position in the U.S. Senate.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals

1976: Reference to Copyright Act

In April 2020, Thom Tillis mentioned the Copyright Act of 1976 during a discussion about the Internet Archive's "National Emergency Library" initiative. He highlighted concerns regarding potential copyright infringements, while the Internet Archive argued that the Copyright Act of 1976 provides flexibility to libraries to adjust to changing circumstances.

2010: Opposition to Minimum Wage Increase

In 2010, Thom Tillis opposed the idea of increasing North Carolina's minimum wage.

2011: Abortion Law in North Carolina

In 2011, while 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. The law was later struck down by the courts.

2011: Remarks on Public Assistance

In a 2011 speech, Thom Tillis made controversial remarks about "dividing and conquering" people on public assistance, leading to some criticism and comparisons to Mitt Romney's "47%" remark.

2012: Vote to Defund Planned Parenthood

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

2012: Legislation on Voting Restrictions

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

2012: Role in North Carolina Amendment 1

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

2013: Support for Abortion Restrictions

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

2014: NRA Support in Senate Campaign

During his 2014 Senate campaign, the NRA Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) spent $4.4 million, half in support of Thom Tillis and half in opposition to Hagan.

2014: Campaign and 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, using "psychographic profiles for all voters in North Carolina".

2014: Protest and Arrests at 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 Unconstitutionality Ruling

In 2014, Thom Tillis appealed a ruling that North Carolina Amendment 1 (banning same-sex marriage) was unconstitutional.

2014: Denial of Climate Change

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

2014: Opposition to Minimum Wage Increase

In 2014, Thom Tillis opposed increasing the federal minimum wage and declined to comment on increasing North Carolina's minimum wage.

2014: Support for Personhood Bill

In 2014, a Thom Tillis spokesman indicated that Tillis would support a personhood bill if abortion remained legal in cases of rape, incest, and when the life of the mother is in danger, and if women continued to have access to contraceptives.

2014: Campaign Finance in 2014 Election

In the 2014 election, Thom Tillis received $22,888,975 in "dark money". Total outside spending reached $44 million for Hagan and $34.6 million for Tillis.

2015: Remarks on Hand-Washing Regulations

In 2015, Thom Tillis suggested coffee-shop companies should be able to "opt out" of hand-washing regulations as long as they post a sign indicating they don't require employees to wash their hands.

2015: Vote Against Climate Change Amendment

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

2015: Opposition to Same-Sex Marriage Ruling

In 2015, after the U.S. Supreme Court decision Obergefell v. Hodges recognized a constitutional right to same-sex marriage, Thom Tillis announced he would oppose the ruling.

2016: Supreme Court Vacancy Opposition

In 2016, Thom Tillis opposed filling the Supreme Court vacancy until after the election, stating the nomination "would be best left to the next president."

2016: Response to Access Hollywood Tape

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

2016: Votes on Gun Control Bills

In 2016, following the Orlando nightclub shooting, Thom Tillis voted for Republican bills to increase funding for the federal background check system and delay gun sales for 72 hours for individuals on the terrorist watchlist, but against Democratic bills to ban individuals on the terrorist watchlist from purchasing a gun and require background checks at gun shows and during online sales.

March 2017: Vote on Internet Privacy Rules

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

2018: Beneficiary of NRA Funding

As of 2018, Thom Tillis was the third-largest beneficiary of NRA funding in Congress.

2018: Belief in Climate Change with Unclear Stance on Human Cause

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

2018: Legislation on Preexisting Conditions

In 2018, amid attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Thom Tillis introduced legislation intended to compensate for the ACA's requirement that insurers cover people with preexisting conditions. The bill was later criticized for loopholes.

February 2019: Opposition to National Emergency Declaration

In February 2019, Thom Tillis wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post opposing Trump's national emergency declaration concerning the southern border, which diverted funding from the Department of Defense to build a border wall.

April 2020: Concerns about Internet Archive's "National Emergency Library"

In April 2020, Thom Tillis expressed concerns that the Internet Archive's "National Emergency Library" initiative violated copyright law.

May 2020: Vote Against FISA Amendment

In May 2020, Thom Tillis voted against an amendment to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to bar warrantless surveillance of web browser history.

September 2020: Medicaid Expansion Opposition

As of September 2020, North Carolina remains one of the few states not to have expanded Medicaid, due to legislation in the state House of Representatives, where Thom Tillis led the Republican effort to block its expansion.

September 2020: Support for Immediate Vote on Trump's Nominee

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

October 2020: Cunningham's Affair Acknowledged

In October 2020, Cal Cunningham acknowledged having an extramarital affair. This event reduced his lead in the polls to less than two points before election day.

2020: Effort to Remake Image on Climate Change

During 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".

2020: Reversal on Emergency Declaration

In 2020, after initially opposing Trump's national emergency declaration, Thom Tillis reversed his position and voted in favor of it.

May 28, 2021: Vote Against Capitol Attack Commission

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

2022: Vote Against Honoring our PACT Act

In 2022, Thom Tillis voted against the Honoring our PACT Act, which provided funding for veterans exposed to toxic substances during military service.

2025: Concerns About Pete Hegseth's Nomination

In 2025, Senator Thom Tillis allegedly told Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth's ex-sister-in-law that a sworn statement about Hegseth's alcohol abuse and alleged abuse of his second wife could influence his and other senators' votes. Tillis ultimately voted to confirm Hegseth after failing to find corroboration, though the New York Times reported Trump threatened a primary challenge.