Steve Scalise was born on October 6, 1965, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He graduated from Louisiana State University with degrees in computer science and political science.
Political Journey: He began his political career in the Louisiana House of Representatives in 1996, served in the Louisiana Senate, and was elected to Congress in May 2008 after winning a special election for Louisiana’s 1st Congressional District. He has been re-elected multiple times and is currently the House Majority Leader as of January 2023.
Key Legislation
- Energy Policy: Advocates for increased domestic energy production, including offshore drilling and natural gas exports, and opposes restrictions on fossil fuels.
- Healthcare: Supports repealing the Affordable Care Act and promoting market-driven healthcare reforms.
- Gun Rights: Introduced bills to expand gun rights and improve concealed carry permit reciprocity.
- Disaster Relief: Strong advocate for federal disaster relief and flood insurance reform due to hurricane impacts in his district.
Social Issues
- Abortion: Pro-life, supports legislation to restrict abortion after 15 weeks.
- LGBTQ+ Rights: Opposes same-sex marriage and protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, including the Equality Act.
- Education: Supports school choice and voucher programs.
Economic Issues
- Tax Policy: Backed the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and calls for further tax reductions.
- Budgeting: Advocates for balanced budgets and federal spending cuts; opposes raising the national debt ceiling without spending cuts.
- Minimum Wage: Against federal increases, believing it should be a state decision.
Defense and Technology
- Defense Spending: Supports robust funding for the Department of Defense and the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
- Tech Investments: Advocates for investing in advanced defense technologies through DARPA, focusing on U.S. competitiveness.
- Veterans: Supports improvements in healthcare and benefits for veterans through legislation like the VA MISSION Act.
District Demographics
- Population: Approximately 800,000 residents.
- Race/Ethnicity: Predominantly white (76%), with 15% African American, and smaller percentages of Hispanic and Asian residents.
- Income and Education: Median household income around $68,000, higher than the state average, with a significant portion of residents holding college degrees.
Controversies
- David Duke Event: Spoke at a meeting of a group linked to David Duke in 2002 and later apologized for not knowing their ideology.
- Gun Control: After a shooting in 2017, reiterated his strong opposition to gun control, emphasizing self-defense and freedom.
- Climate Change: Criticizes climate change policies as “radical” and emphasizes economic growth over environmental regulations.
This guide summarizes Scalise’s career, legislative priorities, and positions on key issues for voters to understand his representation in Congress.