Congresswoman Susie Lee wants credit for helping Nevada's tipped workers. But her voting record tells a different story, and a pattern of hot-mic moments is not helping her case either.
The Vote Versus The Victory Lap
Lee recently announced she is cosponsoring a bill called the TIPS Act, which she says would make No Tax on Tips permanent and eliminate the lower minimum wage some tipped workers are paid. On its face, that sounds like a win for Nevada's hospitality industry.
Here is the catch. When Congress passed the tax package that actually created No Tax on Tips, Lee voted no. She did not treat that relief as a big deal at the time either, calling it:
“temporary crumbs for working families in Southern Nevada.”
Now that the policy has proven popular with voters, Republicans say she is trying to attach her name to something she opposed.
Why This Matters In Nevada
This is not a small issue here. The National Republican Congressional Committee points out that tipped workers make up more than 5 percent of Nevada's workforce, one of the highest shares in the country. That covers bartenders, servers, valets, hotel staff, and casino workers across the state.
Under the policy Lee voted against, eligible workers can deduct up to $25,000 in tip income from their federal taxes.
For conservatives, this is a straightforward test of whether elected officials actually believe in letting working people keep more of their own money.
President Trump first pitched No Tax on Tips right here in Las Vegas during the 2024 campaign, and it became one of the signature economic promises of that race in a state built on tourism and service jobs.
Republicans are not letting the vote get lost in the shuffle. Marty O'Donnell, a Republican running against Lee in Nevada's 3rd Congressional District, wrote on social media:
“You voted AGAINST No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Overtime, No Tax on Social Security, and in favor of raising taxes on every single person in the state of Nevada.”
You voted AGAINST No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Overtime, No Tax on Social Security, and in favor of raising taxes on every single person in the state of Nevada. https://t.co/X3JrB6Mex0
— Marty O'Donnell (@MartyTheElder) July 8, 2026
NRCC Spokesman Christian Martinez was even more direct, accusing Lee of trying to rewrite her record now that the policy is popular and telling her Nevadans “see right through you.”
A Pattern Of Hot Mic Moments
Lee's tip tax reversal is not the only thing drawing scrutiny lately. Back in April, Lee deleted a late-night social media post after replying to an Associated Press item about President Trump attending a hearing on birthright citizenship.
Her original post read:
“So f—ing f—ed up. I'll pray they f— him to his face. Sorry, I say f— a lot these days.”
She later defended the outburst by saying her “nerve was touched.”
Then in June, speaking to the Sun City Liberal Club in Las Vegas, Lee told the crowd she wants to “be bipartisan” and “work across the aisle.”
Moments later, discussing Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's appearances before her committee, she said it was “so easy” to want to “beat the s*** out of him.” The audience laughed and applauded.
WATCH: @SusieLeeNV tells her liberal donors she wants to “beat the shit out of” @PeteHegseth.
This lying hag voted AGAINST the funding for MP Materials, then took credit for strong-arming it.
Unhinged, fake, and foaming at the mouth.
Nevada, fire this violent fraud. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/eX243cF0b2
— Nevada Globe (@NevadaGlobe) July 6, 2026
RNC Spokesman Nick Poché responded by questioning both the comment and Lee's account of her dealings with Hegseth, saying:
“Either Susie Lee believes her words contain the persuasive power of the word of God, or she's making stuff up and being completely unhinged to boot.”
Lee's office did not dispute making the remark and instead pointed to policy disagreements with Hegseth over veterans' issues.
What To Watch
This fight is likely to keep heating up as Nevada's 3rd Congressional District race moves toward November.
Conservatives who want accountability can track how Lee actually votes on the TIPS Act, compare it to her past votes, and support candidates who backed No Tax on Tips when it mattered.
In a district President Trump carried in 2024, Republicans are betting voters will remember who delivered relief and who is only now trying to claim credit for it, all while asking whether Lee's private comments match the bipartisan image she sells back home.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
