María Elvira Salazar voted against the Equality Act (HR 5) in February 2021, which sought to expand civil rights protections to LGBTQ individuals by outlawing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (Sarasota Herald Tribune; Miami Herald; Bradenton Herald).
In June 2021, Salazar was the only South Florida representative to vote "no" on a bill to remove Confederate statues and other figures who defended slavery from the U.S. Capitol, and did not provide a public explanation for her vote (Miami Herald).
In January 2022, she also voted against legislation (HR 5746) aimed at strengthening federal voting rights and combating discrimination in voting practices (Bradenton Herald).
Salazar has publicly accused the Black Lives Matter movement and leading Democrats of promoting socialism, reflecting a critical stance toward prominent racial justice initiatives (Miami Herald opinion).
Her voting record and public statements on civil rights issues could be viewed as potential vulnerabilities, especially regarding minority and LGBTQ rights, and her opposition to removing Confederate symbols.
2020: María Salazar Accused Black Lives Matter and Democrats of Socialism According to an opinion piece by Tim Padgett in Miami Herald, "She hurled that same bogus epithet at the Black Lives Matter racial-justice movement and claimed Shalala, Joe Biden and the Democrats get their orders from its leaders." [Tim Padgett - Miami Herald, 11/9/20]
February 2021: Salazar Voted Against Outlawing Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation According to Sarasota Herald Tribune, "Voting no: Matt Gaetz, R-1, Neal Dunn, R-2, Kat Cammack, R-3, John Rutherford, R-4, Michael Waltz, R-6, Bill Posey, R-8, Daniel Webster, R-11, Gus Bilirakis, R-12, Scott Franklin, R-15, Vern Buchanan, R-16, Greg Steube, R-17, Brian Mast, R-18, Byron Donalds, R-19, Mario Diaz-Balart, R-25, Carlos Gimenez, R-26, Maria Elvira Salazar, R-27" in the vote on the Equality Act (HR 5), which would expand civil rights protections to LGBTQ individuals. [Sarasota Herald Tribune (Florida), 2/28/21]
Miami Herald Reported María Elvira Salazar Voted Against The Equality Act In 2021 According to Miami Herald, "He had previously weighed a bid when Salazar voted against the Equality Act, a bill that would prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation by amending the Civil Rights Act." [Miami Herald, 8/27/21]
February 2021: María Elvira Salazar Voted Against Expanding LGBTQ Protections In Civil Rights Legislation According to Bradenton Herald, "Voting no: Rutherford, Waltz, Posey, Webster, Bilirakis, Franklin, Buchanan, Steube, Mast, Donalds, Diaz-Balart, Gimenez, Salazar" regarding HR 5, to expand the Civil Rights Act to protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. [Bradenton Herald (Florida), 11/7/22]
June 2021: Maria Elvira Salazar Voted Against Removing Confederate Statues From U.S. Capitol According to Miami Herald, "Miami Republican U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar was the only South Florida representative to vote 'no' on a bill that would remove statues of Confederates and historical figures who defended slavery from the U.S. Capitol. Salazar, a Cuban-American former journalist elected in 2020, was one of 120 House Republicans to vote against the bill." [Miami Herald, 6/30/21]
June 2021: Salazar's Office Did Not Provide Reason For 'No' Vote On Confederate Statue Removal According to Miami Herald, "Salazar's office did not respond when asked to explain her reasoning for the vote." [Miami Herald, 6/30/21]
January 2022: María Elvira Salazar Voted Against Strengthening Federal Voting Rights Laws According to Bradenton Herald, "Voting no: Waltz, Posey, Bilirakis, Franklin, Buchanan, Steube, Mast, Donalds, Diaz-Balart, Gimenez, Salazar" on HR 5746, a bill to strengthen federal laws against voting discrimination and campaign 'dark money.' [Bradenton Herald (Florida), 11/7/22]