Steve Scalise
- Known for
- House leadership, congressional shooting
- Born in
- New Orleans, United States
- Education
- Bachelor of Science, Louisiana State University (LSU)
Steve Scalise is a veteran Republican Congressman and the current House Majority Leader, known for his deep involvement in GOP leadership structuring. A long-serving member from Louisiana, he is a staunch conservative voice on fiscal and social issues. His career trajectory has been marked by resilience, notably his return after being critically wounded in the 2017 Congressional baseball shooting.
Signature Positions
Scalise holds firm conservative stances across major policy areas:
- Gun Law: Absolute supporter of Second Amendment rights, describing them as "unlimited" and opposing new gun control measures.
- Healthcare: Staunch opponent of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), supporting its repeal.
- LGBT Rights: Has one of the most anti-LGBT reputations in Congress, voting against protections and opposing same-sex marriage.
- Environment: Explicitly rejects the scientific consensus on climate change, citing historical predictions of global cooling.
- Taxes: Voted in favor of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, arguing it benefits working families.
Notable Tensions
Scalise’s record includes significant controversy and political tightropes:
- 2002 EURO Speech: Confirmed speaking at a conference hosted by a group founded by David Duke, later apologizing and stating he was unaware of the group's racist nature.
- 2020 Election Denial: Voted against certifying the 2020 election results and refused to acknowledge Donald Trump's loss, reflecting loyalty to the former president.
- LGBT Criticism: His voting record has earned him a zero rating from the Human Rights Campaign due to consistent opposition to LGBT rights legislation.
- Misinformation: Shared a doctored video of Ady Barkan but later deleted it after criticism, with his staff calling the manipulation "common practice."
Scalise has risen through the Republican ranks, serving as House Majority Whip and Minority Whip before becoming Majority Leader. His role has solidified him as a key institutional figure within the House GOP. In 2023, he briefly won the nomination for Speaker after Kevin McCarthy's ouster but withdrew after failing to secure full conference support.