Biography Congressman Steve Scalise

Congressman Steve Scalise was first elected to Congress in a special election in May, 2008. Scalise was overwhelmingly re-elected to Congress in November 2008 to serve a full two-year term.

Scalise is known as a staunch conservative who advocates for the principles of fiscal discipline, low taxes, ethics reform, a strong national defense and traditional family values. As a member of the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee, Scalise has already emerged as one of the leaders in Congress in pushing for a strong national energy policy that increases the supply of American oil to lower gas prices at the pump and reduce our dependence on Middle Eastern oil. He has also been a vocal leader in the fight for fiscal discipline to reign in out-of-control spending in Washington, and has made hurricane recovery and flood protection a top priority.

Along with Scalise's legislative priorities he is committed to maintaining an open line of communication with his constituents to better serve them in Congress. Scalise is committed to holding town hall meetings throughout the district and held 11 town hall meetings during his first three months in office.

Scalise was preceded in Congress by Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal.

Personal

Steve Scalise was born in New Orleans on October 6, 1965. A native of Jefferson Parish, Steve grew up in Metairie, and attended James Madison Elementary School and John Quincy Adams Middle School.

Scalise attended Archbishop Rummel High School where he wrestled and played tennis for the Raiders. He went to Louisiana State University where he earned a Computer Science degree and minored in Political Science. Scalise started his political career at LSU, twice being elected Speaker of the Student Government Association.

Scalise is married to the former Jennifer Letulle and they have a two year old daughter, Madison Carol and a newborn baby boy, Harrison Joseph.

Scalise served in the Louisiana Legislature for 12 1/2 years. In the State Senate Scalise served as the Chairman of the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee.

Scalise has many proud legislative accomplishments, including his creation in 2002 of the tax incentives for Louisiana's film industry. The tax incentives made Louisiana the third most popular place to film in the United States, generating more than $700 million in film activity and creating more than 6,000 jobs in Louisiana in 2007.

Among Scalise's other legislative accomplishments, he has been a leader in reforming Louisiana's ethics laws, reforming the state's system of levee boards after hurricane Katrina, and comprehensive earmark reform. Scalise has championed tax cuts for working families and businesses. He has strongly fought to defend 2nd Amendment rights, passing landmark legislation ending the City of New Orleans' lawsuit against gun makers. NRA President Charlton Heston came to Baton Rouge to testify for Scalise's bill. Scalise also successfully changed Louisiana's constitution by passing the Defense of Marriage Amendment, which was approved by 78% of the state's voters. While not an attorney, Scalise has a 2-0 legislative record before the U.S. Supreme Court.

In addition to his service in the Louisiana Legislature Scalise has also worked as a systems engineer for local technology companies. He and his wife are members of St. Agnes Catholic Church.