Steve Scalise
Bio | Steve Scalise graduated from the Louisiana State University and majored in computer science; he also serves on the board of the American Italian Renaissance Foundation. He previously served as a member of the Louisiana Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, and is currently the House Minority Whip. |
Status and Position | Current US House of Representatives of Louisiana |
Political Party and Jurisdiction | Republican, Louisiana |
Elections | Election Jurisdiction | Started Campaign | Campaign Status | Poll Rankings (of the vote) |
| 2020 House of Representatives Election LA-01 | LA-01 | Yes | Running | N/A |
Campaign Financing | Scalise's campaign was funded by individual contributions (about 78%), other unspecified sources of funding (about 22%), and PACs (<1%). Source: https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/steve-scalise/summary?cid=N00009660 |
Voting Rights | Scalise has insisted that the right to vote be reserved for legal American citizens and has voted in favor of HR 1071 (2018) which upholds that "allowing illegal immigrants the right to vote devalues the franchise and diminishes the voting power of United States citizens." Source: https://scalise.house.gov/press-release/scalise-voting-american-elections-reserved-american-citizens, https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-resolution/1071 |
Opinions on Issues
Issues | Stance | Summary |
| Universal Healthcare | Against | McCarthy has opposed universal healthcare in favor of a private system, arguing that patients ought to have the right to choose which insurance coverage is best for them. Source: https://scalise.house.gov/issues/health-care McCarthy values individuals right to choose which healthcare option is best for them, which is why he advocates against the implementation of a universal healthcare system and for a private system. He also has criticized Obamacare and Medicare for All, arguing that a socialist healthcare system would mandate taxpayer-funded abortions. Source: https://scalise.house.gov/issues/health-care, https://scalise.house.gov/issues/health-care, https://scalise.house.gov/media/press-releases/scalise-walden-medicare-all-would-mandate-taxpayer-funded-abortions |
| Socialized Healthcare | Against | McCarthy is strongly against socialized healthcare measures like Medicare for All, arguing that they use taxpayer dollars to fund procedures such as abortions that taxpayers may not ethically agree with and seek to eliminate individuals' private insurance plans. Source: https://scalise.house.gov/media/press-releases/scalise-walden-medicare-all-would-mandate-taxpayer-funded-abortions |
| Private Healthcare | For | Scalise favors a private healthcare system in which individuals have choices over which healthcare option is best for them, employed individuals can seek employer-sponsored healthcare insurance, and those who are unemployed can access more affordable insurance options. Source: https://scalise.house.gov/issues/health-care |
| LGBT Rights | Nuance | Scalise's voting record indicates that he believes state laws regarding marriage should be upheld over federal laws, making gay marriage legal or illegal on the basis of state laws rather than the federal legalization of gay marriage. He also supports individuals' right to oppose gay marriage without consequences. Source: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/steve-scalise-lesbian-police-officer-anti-gay_n_59d79a41e4b0f6eed34fece3, https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/3829/cosponsors,https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/3133 Scalise voted for HR 3829, which proposed that state marriage laws supersede federal marriage law, allowing gay marriage to be de-legalized in states which vote against it. He has also voted in favor of anti-discrimination polciies on the basis of one's own beliefs surrounding marriage and religion. Scalise has therefore supported several pieces of legislation which allow for individuals to hold their personal beliefs on the definition of marriage, whatever that may be. Source: https://scalise.house.gov/press-release/scalise-joins-bipartisan-coalition-introducing-marriage-and-religious-freedom-act, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/steve-scalise-lesbian-police-officer-anti-gay_n_59d79a41e4b0f6eed34fece3, https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/3829/cosponsors,https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/3133 |
| Taxes | Against | Scalise has advocated for tax cuts, particularly for the middle class, decreased government spending of taxpayer funds, and has supported the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Source: https://scalise.house.gov/issues/economy-and-jobs Scalise believes that tax cuts and job creation stimulate economic growth by allowing individuals to keep more of their paychecks and for small businesses to thrive. He also supports disaster tax relief for victims of floods and other natural disasters. Source: https://scalise.house.gov/issues/economy-and-jobs |
| Flat Tax Rate | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. Scalise believes that tax cuts and job creation stimulate economic growth by allowing individuals to keep more of their paychecks and for small businesses to thrive. He also supports disaster tax relief for victims of floods and other natural disasters. Source: https://scalise.house.gov/issues/economy-and-jobs |
| Abortion | Against | Scalise has expressed his personal beliefs in opposition to abortion, seeing it as murder and therefore impermissible. He has also advocated against federal funding for abortion providers. Source: https://scalise.house.gov/press-release/scalise-taxpayers-should-not-be-forced-pay-abortion-providers, https://prolifelouisiana.org/laws-elections/federal-legislation/federal-elected-officials/1st-congressional-steve-scalise/ Scalise has been rated 100% Pro-Life by Louisiana Right to Life for his strong Pro-Life voting record, in which he has fought for the prohibition of the use of taxpayer funds to help pay for abortion services or to fund insurance providers which perform abortions. Source: |
| Gun Control | Against | Scalise is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment right to bear arms and defends every law-abiding citizen's freedom to do so through numerous pieces of legislation he has sponsored and co-sponsored as a member of Congress. Source: https://scalise.house.gov/issues/2nd-amendment Scalise has a 100% approval rating from the NRA in addition to being a part of the Congressional Second Amendment Task Force due to his long track record of supporting pro-gun legislation, including The Firearms Interstate Commerce Reform Act, The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, and the Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act. Source: https://scalise.house.gov/issues/2nd-amendment, https://scalise.house.gov/media/press-releases/scalise-joins-colleagues-introduce-bill-allowing-firearm-sales-across-state, https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/38?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22guns%22%2C%22guns%22%5D%7D&s=4&r=1, https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/2959?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22guns%22%2C%22guns%22%5D%7D&s=5&r=5 |
| Assisted Suicide | Against | Scalise opposes assisted suicide, seeing it as a violation of human life. He also opposes the coverage of assisted suicide procedures by institutions such as churches which do not ethically endorse these procedures. Source: https://scalise.house.gov/media/press-releases/scalise-applauds-trump-admin-action-conscience-protection Scalise has a 100% approval rating from the NRA in addition to being a part of the Congressional Second Amendment Task Force due to his long track record of supporting pro-gun legislation, including The Firearms Interstate Commerce Reform Act, The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, and the Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act. Source: https://scalise.house.gov/issues/2nd-amendment, https://scalise.house.gov/media/press-releases/scalise-joins-colleagues-introduce-bill-allowing-firearm-sales-across-state, https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/38?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22guns%22%2C%22guns%22%5D%7D&s=4&r=1, https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/2959?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22guns%22%2C%22guns%22%5D%7D&s=5&r=5 |
| Government Interference | Against | Scalise sees government intervention as an issue in terms of healthcare reform, as he sees government-sponsored healthcare plans and universal coverage as eliminating individual choice, and advocates against government control of the internet. Source: https://scalise.house.gov/media/press-releases/lets-save-internet-government-control, https://scalise.house.gov/issues/health-care, https://scalise.house.gov/media/press-releases/lets-save-internet-government-control |
| Planned Parenthood | Against | Scalise has advocated against Planned Parenthood, calling for a defunding of the organization altogether and condemning them for allegations of unethical practice. Source: https://scalise.house.gov/press-release/scalise-statement-repealing-obamacare-defunding-planned-parenthood, https://scalise.house.gov/press-release/scalise-congress-must-investigate-and-put-stop-planned-parenthood%E2%80%99s-gruesome-pract |
| Welfare | Nuance | While Scalise isn't against welfare, he does believe there should be a work requirement in place in order to receive welfare benefits so that recipients aren't incentivized to not contribute to the economy. Source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/890, https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/1388, https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/susan-jones/rep-steve-scalise-welfare-reform-top-gops-do-list Scalise voted in favor of H.R. 890 (2013), Preserving the Welfare Work Requirement and TANF Extension Act of 2013, which mandates employment in order to receive welfare benefits. He also has voted against the Serve America Act/GIVE Act which expanded national volunteer and public service opportunities. Source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/890, https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/1388, https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/susan-jones/rep-steve-scalise-welfare-reform-top-gops-do-list |
| Welfare | Against | Scalise was one of 94 pro-life policymakers to sign a letter calling for the defunding of human embryonic stem-cell research due to ethical concerns. Source: https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/9/wicker-leads-94-pro-life-legislators-in-call-to-end-taxpayer-funded-embryonic-stem-cell-research |
| Death Penalty | For | Scalise has not spoken much on his views surrounding capital punishment, however he has voted for legislation which promotes the death penalty as an appropriate punishment for those convicted of inciting violence against law enforcement, a firefighter, or first responder. Source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/115 Scalise voted in favor of the Thin Blue Line Act, which sought to amend "the federal criminal code to expand the list of statutory aggravating factors in death penalty determinations to also include killing or targeting a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or other first responder." Source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/115 |
| Mandatory Prison Sentence | Nuance | Scalise hasn't expressed his views on mandatory prison sentencing, however he did endorse the First Step Act, which promotes rehabilitation programs for inmates and allows them to be released early for earning credit due to good conduct. Source: https://www.bop.gov/inmates/fsa/overview.jsp |
| Military Spending | For | Scalise supports military spending to ensure the armed forces have adequate resources to address national threats, particularly terrorism. Source: https://scalise.house.gov/issues/national-security |
| War on Terrorism | For | Scalise sees Islamic extremist groups and North Korea as serious threats to national security and advocates for adequate military funding, the strengthening of border security, and federal support of local law enforcement to address these threats. Source: https://scalise.house.gov/issues/national-security |
| Foreign Policy International Interaction | Nuance | Scalise has a mixed voting record in terms of foreign policy, showing a pattern of supporting anti-Arab policies while also favoring diplomacy and cooperation with other nations, such as India. Source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/1886, https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/7081, https://b.3cdn.net/aai/e489734f0f4ed98aa2_ipm6y1h2x.pdf Scalise voted in favor of the US-India Nuclear Cooperation Approval and Nonproliferation Enhancement Act, which sought to authorize the peaceful cooperative use of nuclear energy between the US and India. However, he has voted against other policies supporting foreign nations, such as the Pakistan Enduring Assistance and Cooperation Enhancement Act (PEACE Act), and has a score of -4 by the Arab American Institute, indicating a track record of voting for anti-Arab policies and/or voting against pro-Arab policies. Source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/1886, https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/7081, https://b.3cdn.net/aai/e489734f0f4ed98aa2_ipm6y1h2x.pdf |
| United Nations power | Against | Scalise has expressed his support for the US withdrawl from the UN Paris Climate Agreement, arguing its intention was to drain the US economy and redistribute wealth. He also voted in favor of the United Nations Transparency, Accountability, and Reform Act, which seeks to limit funding to the UN as well as establish more transparency as to where funding is allocated. Source: https://scalise.house.gov/press-release/scalise-statement-us-withdrawal-paris-accord, https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/2829 |
| Nationalism | Nuance | Scalise has admitted to speaking at a conference held by the Euro-American Unity and Rights Organization (EURO), which was formed by a former Ku Klux Klan leader, however he has denied that he knew it was a white nationalist group. Source: https://www.nola.com/news/politics/article_b608193c-c9f4-531a-8e24-01534407c15a.html, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/house-majority-whip-scalise-confirms-he-spoke-to-white-nationalists-in-2002/2014/12/29/7f80dc14-8fa3-11e4-a900-9960214d4cd7_story.html |
| Free Markets | For | Scalise is a strong advocate for the free market and the preservation of capitalism, arguing that socialism will dampen economic growth and believing in individual freedom in the realm of business and economics. Source: https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/rep-steve-scalise-democratic-hijinks-make-it-clear-trump-is-the-only-candidate-americans-can-trust, https://scalise.house.gov/media/press-releases/lets-save-internet-government-control, https://scalise.house.gov/issues/health-care, https://scalise.house.gov/media/press-releases/lets-save-internet-government-control Scalise has advocate against government regulation, namely in the areas of telecommunications and the internet, healthcare, and business/economics. He believes capitalism is the key driver of economic growth and that polocymakers must protect it against socialist policies, which he sees as contributing to the issue of poverty. Source: https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/rep-steve-scalise-democratic-hijinks-make-it-clear-trump-is-the-only-candidate-americans-can-trust, https://scalise.house.gov/media/press-releases/lets-save-internet-government-control, https://scalise.house.gov/issues/health-care, https://scalise.house.gov/media/press-releases/lets-save-internet-government-control |
| Brexit | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Affirmative Action | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Government Spending | Nuance | Scalise supports cutting back on government spending in order to address the growing national debt, however in terms of national security measures such as military funding and border control, as well as education, he believes adequate funding should be allocated. Source: https://scalise.house.gov/issues/economy-and-jobs, https://scalise.house.gov/issues/national-security, https://scalise.house.gov/press-release/scalise-applauds-188-million-grant-awarded-louisiana-charter-schools |
| Charter Schools | For | Scalise has praised Louisiana charter schools for offering educational opportunities and choice when it comes to parental decisions about education, and supports increased funding of charter schools to make them more accessible to the public. Source: https://scalise.house.gov/press-release/scalise-applauds-188-million-grant-awarded-louisiana-charter-schools |
| Common Core | Against | Scalise has expressed that he does not support Common Core, seeing it as an overreach of the federal government and misuse of federal funds. Source: https://www.nola.com/news/politics/article_f4aa5bf7-94a1-551e-a275-553b565e1d54.html Scalise has expressed his opposition to Common Core, explaining that No Child Left Behind is being used to "literally force schools to embrace programs like Common Core and using federal money and even waivers to do it. That's wrong, and it needs to change." Source: https://www.nola.com/news/politics/article_f4aa5bf7-94a1-551e-a275-553b565e1d54.html |
| Clean Energy | Nuance | Although Scalise has expressed that he supports alternative and renewable energy sources, he is also a strong proponent for the continued use of fossil fuels, arguing that they are vital to maintaining the US's economic health. Source: https://scalise.house.gov/taxonomy/issues/energy Scalise supports the continued production of fossil fuels, particularly on- and off-shore drilling, seeing this as a way to assert US energy dominance and decrease reliance on foreign sources of energy. While he has expressed support for clean energy, he also believes that energy regulations should be rolled back so as to decrease the burden on the energy sector. Source: https://scalise.house.gov/taxonomy/issues/energy |
| Religious Freedom | For | Scalise supports freedom of religion, seeing religion as one of the foundations of the United States and therefore an important part of American history. Source: https://scalise.house.gov/media/press-releases/scotus-ruling-unambiguous-win-religious-liberty Scalise has defended religious monuments, such as the Bladensburg Peace Cross, arguing that religion is a foundational part of American history and values. Source: https://scalise.house.gov/media/press-releases/scalise-stands-religious-freedom-defends-memorial-american-soldiers, https://scalise.house.gov/media/press-releases/scotus-ruling-unambiguous-win-religious-liberty |
| Separation of Church and State | Against | Scalise has famously claimed that "You can't separate church from state " due to the religious roots of the Founding Fathers and language of the Constitution. Source: https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/gop-leader-flunks-test-separation-church-and-state-msna1067321, https://www.christianpost.com/news/rep-steve-scalise-cant-separate-church-and-state-national-prayer-breakfast.html |
| Slavery Reparations | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Border Control | For | Scalise favors strong border control policy, including the construction of a physical barrier at the US-Mexico border, stronger border security, zero amnesty, and treatment of illegal immigration as a criminal offense. Source: https://scalise.house.gov/issues/immigration Scalise opposes any amnesty or welfare measures for illegal immigrants, arguing that this would only encourage further illegal immigration and pose a financial burden for the US economy and for taxpayers. He supports Trump's border wall and seeks to increase border security measures to prevent the flow of immigrants across the southern border. Source: https://scalise.house.gov/issues/immigration |
| Passenger Profiling | Against | Although Scalise has not spoken much on racial justice or abuses by law enforcement, he has acknowledged the atrocity of the killing of George Floyd by law enforcement and has called for calm, peaceful reform, condemning protests turned violent across the country. Source: https://scalise.house.gov/media/press-releases/scalise-discusses-twitters-selective-censorship-and-fisa-reform |
| DACA | Against | Scalise has opposed DACA, seeing it as providing unearned amnesty, however he does support a farm bill that would put work requirements in place for immigrants. Source: https://scalise.house.gov/press-release/scalise-amnesty-not-answer, https://www.politico.com/story/2018/06/12/house-daca-immigration-steve-scalise-637804, https://www.newsweek.com/steve-scalise-daca-immigration-deal-wont-pass-house-787914 |
| Sanctuary Cities | Against | Scalise opposes sanctuary cities, arguing that "we are a nation of immigrants" and "a nation of laws," seeing amnesty for undocumented immigrants as burdensome on taxpayers and the government and posing safety threats for communities. Source: https://scalise.house.gov/press-release/keeping-americans-safe-protecting-rule-law |
| Legalizing Marijuana | Against | A spokesman for Scalise has expressed that Scalise opposes the legalization of marijuana, seeing it as a gateway to more dangerous drugs. Source: https://vote.norml.org/politicians/9026 |