Michelle Steel

Steel was born in Seoul, South Korea. Her father was born in Shanghai to Korean expatriate parents. Steel was educated in South Korea, Japan, and the United States. She holds a degree in business from Pepperdine University and an MBA from the University of Southern California. She can speak Korean, Japanese, and English.

Steel has been active in Republican Party politics and served on various commissions in the George W. Bush administration.{{cite news |last1=Hall |first1=Madison |last2=Panetta |first2=Grace |last3=Neilson |first3=Susie |title=Results: Republican Michelle Steel defeats first-term Rep. Harley Rouda in California's 48th Congressional District |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/california-48th-district-house-election-harley-rouda-michelle-steel-2020 |work=Business Insider |date=November 10, 2020 |access-date=10 November 2020 |archive-date=November 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110214906/https://www.businessinsider.com/california-48th-district-house-election-harley-rouda-michelle-steel-2020 |url-status=live }}

Steel was elected to the California State Board of Equalization in 2006 when Republican incumbent Claude Parrish ran unsuccessfully for state treasurer. Throughout her tenure, she served as the country's highest-ranking Korean American officeholder, and California's highest-ranking Republican woman. She represented more than eight million people in the 3rd district, which then included all of Imperial, Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties and parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}} In 2011, she was elected vice chair of the Board of Equalization.{{cite news|url=http://www.boe.ca.gov/news/2011/13-11-S.pdf|title=Michelle Steel Named Vice Chair of the State Board of Equalization|author=Arie Dana|publisher=California Board of Equalization|date=January 26, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-02-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208040642/http://www.boe.ca.gov/news/2011/13-11-S.pdf}}

File:Michelle-steel.jpg

In 2014, Steel was elected to the Orange County Board of Supervisors representing the 2nd district, defeating state assemblyman Allan Mansoor.{{cite web|url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/county-641102-steel-board.html|title=Two new faces join Board of Supervisors|last=Shine|first=Nicole|publisher=The Orange County Register|date=November 5, 2014|access-date=November 10, 2014|archive-date=November 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110063924/http://www.ocregister.com/articles/county-641102-steel-board.html|url-status=live}}

In March 2018, Steel was the only elected official to greet President Donald Trump when he landed at LAX on his first official visit to California as president.{{cite web |last1=Gerda |first1=Nick |title=OC Supervisor Michelle Steel Welcomed President Trump at LAX |url=https://voiceofoc.org/2018/03/oc-supervisor-michelle-steel-welcomed-president-trump-at-lax/ |website=Voice of OC |date=March 15, 2018 |access-date=July 23, 2020 |archive-date=July 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723125533/https://voiceofoc.org/2018/03/oc-supervisor-michelle-steel-welcomed-president-trump-at-lax/ |url-status=live }} In 2019, Trump appointed her to the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.{{cite web|title=Trump names Michelle Park Steel co-chair of president's advisory commission on AAPIs|url=http://www.rafu.com/2019/02/trump-names-michelle-steel-co-chair-of-presidents-advisory-commission-on-aapis/|publisher=The Rafu Shimpo|date=February 3, 2019|access-date=April 26, 2019|archive-date=April 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426191957/http://www.rafu.com/2019/02/trump-names-michelle-steel-co-chair-of-presidents-advisory-commission-on-aapis/|url-status=live}}

Steel chaired the Orange County Board of Supervisors in 2017 and again in 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she opposed mandatory face masks in Orange County.{{cite news|date=June 18, 2020|title=Californians must wear face masks in public under coronavirus order issued by Newsom|work=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-06-18/california-mandatory-face-masks-statewide-order-coronavirus-gavin-newsom|access-date=July 23, 2020|archive-date=July 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722232832/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-06-18/california-mandatory-face-masks-statewide-order-coronavirus-gavin-newsom|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Green|first=Miranda|date=October 21, 2020|title=The Mask Backlash That Could Oust a Democratic Congressman|url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/10/orange-county-mask-backlash-could-defeat-harley-rouda.html|website=Intelligencer|language=en-us|access-date=October 30, 2020|archive-date=October 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029230907/https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/10/orange-county-mask-backlash-could-defeat-harley-rouda.html|url-status=live}} She voted against requiring face coverings for retail employees{{cite web|date=April 22, 2020|title=OC Supervisors Vote To Require Face Coverings For Many Retail Employees|url=https://mynewsla.com/business/2020/04/21/oc-supervisors-vote-to-require-face-coverings-for-many-retail-employees/|website=MyNewsLA.com|access-date=July 23, 2020|archive-date=July 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723090555/https://mynewsla.com/business/2020/04/21/oc-supervisors-vote-to-require-face-coverings-for-many-retail-employees/|url-status=live}} and opposed mask mandates in public schools. She questioned masks' efficacy in preventing the virus spread.{{Cite web|last=Custodio|first=Spencer|date=May 26, 2020|title=Orange County Public Health Officials Under Fire Over Mask Order|url=https://voiceofoc.org/2020/05/orange-county-public-health-officials-under-fire-from-over-mask-order/|website=Voice of OC|access-date=October 21, 2020|archive-date=October 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024033418/https://voiceofoc.org/2020/05/orange-county-public-health-officials-under-fire-from-over-mask-order/|url-status=live}}

On September 15, 2020, the Orange County Board of Supervisors approved plans that could lead to increased private jet traffic at John Wayne Airport. Steel was criticized by her Democratic opponent, Harley Rouda, for taking campaign contributions from ACI Jet, the corporation that was awarded the contract.{{Cite web|last=Brandon Pho|date=2020-09-15|title=Private Jet Plan for John Wayne Airport Sparks Resident Concern and Corruption Allegations|url=https://voiceofoc.org/2020/09/private-jet-plan-for-john-wayne-airport-sparks-resident-concern-and-corruption-allegations/|website=Voice of OC|access-date=2020-12-06|archive-date=November 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129105557/https://voiceofoc.org/2020/09/private-jet-plan-for-john-wayne-airport-sparks-resident-concern-and-corruption-allegations/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Siebenmark|first=Jerry|title=With New SNA Lease in Hand, ACI Plans $85M Project|url=https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2020-09-17/new-sna-lease-hand-aci-plans-85m-project|website=Aviation International News|access-date=2020-12-06|archive-date=October 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019163634/https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2020-09-17/new-sna-lease-hand-aci-plans-85m-project|url-status=live}}

Steel and her husband Shawn supported the 2020–21 recall initiative against California governor Gavin Newsom{{cite web|url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article250793854.html|title=Some of the biggest names in the California GOP are staying quiet on recalling Gavin Newsom|website=Sacramento Bee|date=April 22, 2021|author1=Lara Korte|author2=David Lightman|access-date=September 6, 2021|archive-date=May 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505192301/https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article250793854.html|url-status=live}} and endorsed Larry Elder to replace him.{{cite web|url=https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west/politics/2021/08/17/republican-party-of-oc-convenes-to-endorse-larry-elder-for-governor-|title=Orange County GOP chair endorses Larry Elder for governor|date=August 17, 2021|website=spectrumnews1.com|last=D'Urso|first=William|access-date=September 6, 2021|archive-date=September 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906033303/https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west/politics/2021/08/17/republican-party-of-oc-convenes-to-endorse-larry-elder-for-governor-|url-status=live}}

In 2024, Steel was criticized for her management of $1.2 million allocated for food aid during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. With funds from the federal government Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, each Supervisor contracted to provide meals for needy senior citizens in their district. Steel awarded the contract to a marketing company she was using for her campaign, a company that reportedly had no prior experience with this type of government funding. An audit revealed that the meals had been considerably more costly than in other Orange County districts.{{Cite news |first1=Nick |last1=Gerda |first2=Josie |last2=Huang |url=https://laist.com/news/politics/michelle-steel-pandemic-meals-campaign-mail-printer-supervisor |title=As an OC supervisor, Michelle Steel awarded a $1.2M pandemic meals contract to her campaign mail printer |date=November 1, 2024 |access-date=2024-11-07 |work=LAist}}

{{See also|2020 United States House of Representatives elections in California#District 48}}

In 2020, Steel ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in California's 48th congressional district.{{cite news|title=O.C. Supervisor Michelle Steel to challenge Rep. Harley Rouda in 2020 election|url=https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/tn-dpt-me-steel-20190503-story.html|date=May 3, 2019|agency=Associated Press|access-date=May 29, 2019|archive-date=May 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529161645/https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/tn-dpt-me-steel-20190503-story.html|url-status=live}} She received 34.9% of the vote to advance from the primary and defeated incumbent Democrat Harley Rouda in the November 3 general election with 51.1% of the vote.{{Cite web|title=Michelle Steel|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Michelle_Steel|website=Ballotpedia|access-date=August 31, 2020|archive-date=November 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101062251/https://ballotpedia.org/Michelle_Steel|url-status=live}} Steel raised $200,000 more than Rouda.Denkmann, Libby. [https://laist.com/2020/12/03/congress-republicans-reclaim-four-house-seats-california-2020-four-lessons.php Four Lessons From The Southern California House Seats Republicans Reclaimed In 2020] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204032555/https://laist.com/2020/12/03/congress-republicans-reclaim-four-house-seats-california-2020-four-lessons.php |date=December 4, 2020 }}, KPCC, 89.3 FM, Southern California Public Radio, Pasadena, California, December 3, 2020. Retrieved December 4, 2020.

During her campaign, Steel spoke out against COVID-19 mask mandates. Her platform included opposition to abortion, same-sex marriage, and the creation of a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.{{Cite web|date=September 14, 2020|title=Race Heating Up For California's 48th District Seat As Rouda, Steel Face Off|url=https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2020/09/14/california-48-district-orange-county-election-2020-michelle-steel-harley-rouda/|access-date=October 30, 2020|archive-date=October 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004212117/https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2020/09/14/california-48-district-orange-county-election-2020-michelle-steel-harley-rouda/|url-status=live}} A conservative, she aligned herself with President Donald Trump.{{Cite web|date=2020-11-20|title=California Republican leaders go all in on Trump's election subterfuge, but some are more vocal than others|url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-11-20/how-have-california-republicans-responded-to-trumps-claims-about-the-election-with-silence|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2020-11-22|archive-date=November 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122203353/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-11-20/how-have-california-republicans-responded-to-trumps-claims-about-the-election-with-silence|url-status=live}}

{{See also|2022 United States House of Representatives elections in California#District 45}}

On December 23, 2021, Steel announced that she would run in California's 45th congressional district in 2022 due to redistricting. She was endorsed by Kevin McCarthy, Young Kim, Ken Calvert, Mimi Walters, Andrew Do, and the Republican Party of Orange County.{{Cite web|date=2021-12-23|title=Rep. Michelle Steel to Run in California's New 45th Congressional District|url=https://www.oc-breeze.com/2021/12/23/207108_rep-michelle-steel-to-run-in-californias-new-45th-congressional-district/|access-date=2022-01-01|website=Orange County Breeze|language=en-US|archive-date=January 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104200927/https://www.oc-breeze.com/2021/12/23/207108_rep-michelle-steel-to-run-in-californias-new-45th-congressional-district/|url-status=live}}

During the campaign, Steel faced protests over her campaign ads aiming to portray her Democratic rival, Naval reserve officer and Taiwanese-American Jay Chen, as a Chinese Communist Party sympathizer.{{Cite web |date=2022-10-28 |title=California congresswoman faces accusations of 'McCarthyism' from AAPI groups over campaign ads |url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2022-10-28/michelle-steel-faces-backlash-charges-of-racism-from-aapi-groups-over-campaign-attack-ads |access-date=2022-11-04 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}

Steel defeated Democratic nominee Jay Chen in the November 8, 2022, general election.Blood, Michael. [https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-california-house-elections-gop-382318869531533a47bfada98a9a7efa California wins leave GOP poised to seize US House control] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115153511/https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-california-house-elections-gop-382318869531533a47bfada98a9a7efa |date=November 15, 2022 }}, Associated Press, November 11, 2022.

{{main|2024 California's 45th congressional district election}}

Steel ran for reelection in the district in 2024.{{cite web |url=https://docquery.fec.gov/pdf/134/202212069547176134/202212069547176134.pdf |title=Michelle Steel Statement of Candidacy |website=Federal Election Commission |date=December 6, 2022 |access-date=May 1, 2023}} During the campaign, Steel sought to characterize her Democratic opponent Derek Tran as a communist sympathizer by sending mailers of Tran alongside Mao Zedong and a hammer and sickle.{{Cite news |date=2024 |title=In Orange County, a Key House Race Could Come Down to Little Saigon Voters |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/31/us/elections/steel-tran-vietnamese-ca-45.html |work=New York Times}}{{Cite web |date=2024-10-30 |title=Accusations of red-baiting in OC congressional race between Michelle Steel and Derek Tran |url=https://abc7.com/post/accusations-red-baiting-oc-congressional-race-between-michelle-steel-derek-tran/15485918/ |website=ABC7 Los Angeles |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-10-22 |title='Red-baiting' accusations fly between congressional campaigns in competitive Orange County race |url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2024-10-22/congressional-district-47-campaign-mailers-facebook-red-baiting-accusations-steel-tran |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}} Tran is a second-generation Vietnamese American. During the campaign, Steel, who is Korean-born, said "I am more Vietnamese than my opponent."

Tran defeated Steel in the November 5, 2024, general election.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-27 |title=Democrat Derek Tran defeats GOP Rep. Michelle Steel in Southern California swing House district |url=https://apnews.com/article/michelle-steel-california-house-democrat-derek-tran-6f512e87a3466ef7e5c37d641239e01b |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=AP News |language=en}}

File:Michelle Steel, 117th Congress.jpg

Along with several other Republican U.S. House freshmen, Steel was a member of the Freedom Force, an informal group styled as a Republican counterpart to the Democratic group The Squad.{{Cite news |last=Noor |first=Poppy |url=http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/nov/30/republicans-freedom-force-squad-burgess-owens |title=The 'Freedom Force': Republican group takes on the Squad and 'evil' socialism |date=November 30, 2020 |work=The Guardian |access-date=December 29, 2020 |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130190808/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/nov/30/republicans-freedom-force-squad-burgess-owens |url-status=live }}

Steel tested positive for COVID-19 in January 2021.{{cite news |last1=Ke |first1=Bryan |title=California Congresswoman Who Once Questioned Mask-Wearing Catches COVID-19 |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/california-congresswoman-once-questioned-mask-194722523.html |via=news.yahoo.com |publisher=NextShark |date=January 8, 2021 |access-date=January 9, 2021 |archive-date=January 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109225043/http://www.yahoo.com/news/california-congresswoman-once-questioned-mask-194722523.html |url-status=live }} She referenced her own mild symptoms from her bout with COVID to advocate for opening up schools and businesses.{{Cite news |date=2021-01-28 |title=Surfside Rep. Michelle Steel Scolded For COVID Joke By Political Opponent Harley Rouda |url=https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2021/01/28/surfside-rep-michelle-steel-scolded-for-covid-joke-by-political-opponent-harley-rouda/ |work=CBS Los Angeles |access-date=2021-05-28 |language=en-US |archive-date=July 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731221417/https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2021/01/28/surfside-rep-michelle-steel-scolded-for-covid-joke-by-political-opponent-harley-rouda/ |url-status=live }}

Steel did not vote on the certification of Joe Biden's Electoral College victory.{{Cite news |last=Nixon |first=Nicole |date=January 7, 2021 |title=Here's How California Representatives Voted On Certifying Biden's Election, And Who Is Calling For Trump's Removal |url=https://www.capradio.org/161195 |publisher=Capital Public Radio |location=Sacramento, Calif. |access-date=2021-01-20 |archive-date=January 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114074026/https://www.capradio.org/161195 |url-status=live }} She voted against the second impeachment of Donald Trump on January 13, 2021.{{Cite news |last1=Cai |first1=Weiyi |last2=Daniel |first2=Annie |last3=Gamio |first3=Lazaro |last4=Parlapiano |first4=Alicia |date=January 13, 2021 |title=Impeachment Results: How Democrats and Republicans Voted |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/01/13/us/politics/trump-second-impeachment-vote.html |access-date=2021-01-20 |archive-date=March 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302224121/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/01/13/us/politics/trump-second-impeachment-vote.html |url-status=live }}

In early February 2021, Steel called for the reopening of schools in California.{{Cite news |last=Staggs |first=Brooke |date=February 9, 2021 |title=Here's what local House members are doing, so far, in the legislative fight against COVID-19 |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2021/02/09/heres-what-local-house-members-are-doing-so-far-in-the-legislative-fight-against-covid-19 |work=Orange County Register |location=Anaheim, Calif. |access-date=2021-02-11 |archive-date=February 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210024433/https://www.ocregister.com/2021/02/09/heres-what-local-house-members-are-doing-so-far-in-the-legislative-fight-against-covid-19/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite tweet |user=RepSteel |number=1359604695870889984 |date=February 10, 2021 |title=How it started vs. How it's going: #opentheschools |access-date=February 11, 2021}}{{Cite tweet |user=RepSteel |number=1359923358939414528 |date=February 11, 2021 |title=The science is clear: there is little evidence schools contribute meaningfully to increased community transmission of #COVID19. I joined over 60 of my @HouseGOP colleagues in a letter to @POTUS urging him to follow the science & #opentheschools. It's time to put our kids first. |access-date=February 11, 2021}}

On February 25, 2021, Steel voted against the Equality Act, a bill that would prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation by amending the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Fair Housing Act to explicitly include new protections.{{Cite news|title=Here's every Republican who voted against the Equality Act|work=Metro Weekly|url=https://www.metroweekly.com/2021/02/for-shame-heres-every-republican-who-voted-against-the-equality-act/|date=February 25, 2021|access-date=February 26, 2021|archive-date=February 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226012255/https://www.metroweekly.com/2021/02/for-shame-heres-every-republican-who-voted-against-the-equality-act/|url-status=live}}

On February 27, 2021, Steel voted against the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief and stimulus bill.{{cite press release |date=1 March 2021 |title=Rep. Steel: "Relief should be targeted, temporary and tied to COVID" |url=https://steel.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-steel-relief-should-be-targeted-temporary-and-tied-covid |publisher=Cong. Michelle Steele |location=Washington, DC |accessdate=2021-05-27 |archive-date=April 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426125231/https://steel.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-steel-relief-should-be-targeted-temporary-and-tied-covid |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last1=Staggs |first1=Brooke |date=2021-03-28 |title=Young Kim and Michelle Steel carve out different paths in Congress |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2021/03/28/young-kim-and-michelle-steel-carve-out-different-paths-in-congress |access-date=2021-05-27 |work=Orange County Register |language=en-US |archive-date=June 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609103234/https://www.ocregister.com/2021/03/28/young-kim-and-michelle-steel-carve-out-different-paths-in-congress/ |url-status=live }}

In March 2021, Steel introduced a bill that would block federal funding from being used to support California's high-speed rail project, which she called a "failure."{{Cite news|title=Orange County Republicans take aim at California's bullet train|work=Orange County Register|url=https://www.ocregister.com/2021/03/01/orange-county-republicans-take-aim-at-californias-bullet-train/|date=March 1, 2021|access-date=March 3, 2021|archive-date=March 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302121205/https://www.ocregister.com/2021/03/01/orange-county-republicans-take-aim-at-californias-bullet-train/|url-status=live}}

In June 2021, Steel was one of 49 House Republicans to vote to repeal the AUMF against Iraq.{{Cite news |date=June 19, 2021 |title=Repeal the 2001, 2002 authorizations for use of military force |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2021/06/19/repeal-the-2001-2002-authorizations-for-use-of-military-force |work=Los Angeles Daily News |access-date=2021-06-30 |archive-date=June 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619181836/https://www.ocregister.com/2021/06/19/repeal-the-2001-2002-authorizations-for-use-of-military-force/ |url-status=live }}

In 2021, Steel joined a majority of Republican representatives in signing onto an amicus brief to overturn Roe v. Wade.{{cite web|url=https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/91b4f962-785b-4a88-b298-908ae76dd297/dobbs-v-jwho-amicus-brief-moc.pdf|title=No. 19-1392|date=2021|publisher=US Senate|access-date=2022-08-09|url-status=live|archive-date=2021-10-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017053606/https://www.wicker.senate.gov/services/files/91b4f962-785b-4a88-b298-908ae76dd297}}

In July 2022, Steel voted against the Respect for Marriage Act, which would require the U.S. federal government to recognize the validity of same-sex marriages.{{Cite web |date=2022-07-20 |title=These Are the 157 House of Representatives Members Who Voted Against Protecting Marriage Equality |url=https://katiecouric.com/news/politics-and-policy/which-republicans-voted-against-respect-for-marriage-act/ |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=Katie Couric Media |language=en-US |archive-date=July 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721225959/https://katiecouric.com/news/politics-and-policy/which-republicans-voted-against-respect-for-marriage-act/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=H.R. 8404: Respect for Marriage Act -- House Vote #373 -- Jul 19, 2022 |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/117-2022/h373 |access-date=2022-09-18 |website=GovTrack.us |language=en |archive-date=September 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920172708/https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/117-2022/h373 |url-status=live }}

As of December 2022, Steel had voted in line with President Joe Biden's stated position 21% of the time.{{cite web |last1=Bycoffe |first1=Aaron |last2=Wiederkehr |first2=Anna |title=Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden? |url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-congress-votes/michelle-steel/ |website=FiveThirtyEight |date=April 22, 2021 |access-date=30 November 2022 |archive-date=January 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117175555/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-congress-votes/michelle-steel/ |url-status=dead }}

In September 2023, Steel was among a bipartisan group of eight U.S. House members who co-sponsored a mental health focused bill aimed at integrating behavioral health services for Medicare beneficiaries in primary care settings.{{cite news |last1=Knight |first1=Victoria |title=First look: Bipartisan behavioral health access bill |url=https://www.axios.com/pro/health-care-policy/2023/09/26/first-look-bipartisan-behavioral-health-access-bill |access-date=27 September 2023 |publisher=Axios |date=September 26, 2023}}

Steel was a co-sponsor of the Life at Conception Act introduced in January 2023 during the 118th Congress. After a 2024 Alabama court ruling made clear that the bill's language could endanger the ability to administer in-vitro fertilization, Steel said "I do not support federal restrictions on IVF." She added further, "As someone who struggled to get pregnant, I believe all life is a gift. IVF allowed me, as it has so many others, to start my family. I believe there is nothing more pro-life than helping families have children."{{cite news |last1=Raman |first1=Sandhya |title=Alabama IVF ruling spurs a GOP reckoning on conception bills |url=https://rollcall.com/2024/02/23/alabama-ivf-ruling-spurs-a-gop-reckoning-on-conception-bills/ |access-date=2024-02-25 |publisher=Roll Call |date=February 23, 2024}} In March 2024, Steel rescinded her co-sponsorship of the bill due to her support for IVF.{{cite news |last1=Kapur |first1=Sahil |last2=Kaplan |first2=Rebecca |title=GOP Rep. Michelle Steel rescinds her co-sponsorship of the Life at Conception Act after winning her primary |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/gop-rep-michelle-steel-rescinds-cosponsorship-life-conception-act-rcna142285 |access-date=14 March 2024 |work=NBC News |date=7 March 2024 |language=en}}

For the 118th Congress:{{cite web |title=Michelle Steel |url=https://clerk.house.gov/members/S001135 |publisher=Clerk of the United States House of Representatives |access-date=1 May 2023}}

• Committee on Education and the Workforce
• Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education
• Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions
• Committee on Ways and Means
• Subcommittee on Health
• Subcommittee on Work and Welfare
• Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party

• Conservative Climate Caucus{{Cite web|title=Conservative Climate Caucus|url=https://curtis.house.gov/conservative-climate-caucus/|access-date=2022-01-01|website=Congressman Curtis|language=en|archive-date=December 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214181451/https://curtis.house.gov/conservative-climate-caucus/|url-status=live}}
• Republican Governance Group{{cite web|url=https://republicangovernance.com/|work=Republican Governance Group|title=Homepage of Republican Governance Group|date=December 14, 2019|access-date=December 23, 2021|archive-date=December 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211224001858/https://republicangovernance.com/|url-status=live}}

In February 2025, Steel was appointed by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson to a bipartisan commission designed to study the feasibility of establishing a new national museum dedicated to the history and culture of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.{{cite news |last1=Kang |first1=Hanna |title=Former Rep. Michelle Steel joins commission to create a national AAPI history museum |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2025/02/26/former-rep-michelle-steel-joins-commission-to-create-a-national-aapi-history-museum/ |access-date=24 April 2025 |work=Orange County Register |date=26 February 2025}}

File:Shawn and Michelle Steel.jpg

In 1981, Steel married Shawn Steel, who was the California Republican Party chairman from 2001 to 2003 and has been the Republican National Committeeman from California since 2008. They have two daughters and live in Seal Beach, California.{{cite web|last=Steel|first=Michelle Park|title=Vice Chair Michelle Steel|url=http://www.boe.ca.gov/members/msteel/about_member.html|publisher=California State Board of Equalization|access-date=November 14, 2012|archive-date=December 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220082932/http://www.boe.ca.gov/members/msteel/about_member.html|url-status=dead}} She is a Protestant Christian.{{cite web |title=Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/12/PF_2023.01.03_congress_LIST.pdf |publisher=Pew Research Center |access-date=12 May 2025}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change|title=2024 United States House of Representatives elections in California{{Cite web |year=2024 |title=Statement of Vote |url=https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2024-primary/sov/complete-sov-updated.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618164043/https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2024-primary/sov/complete-sov-updated.pdf |archive-date=June 18, 2024 |access-date=January 16, 2025 |website=sos.ca.gov |publisher=Secretary of State of California |page=89 |format=PDF |publication-place=Sacramento}}{{Cite web |year=2024 |title=Statement of Vote |url=https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2024-general/sov/complete-sov.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241230021501/https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2024-general/sov/complete-sov.pdf |archive-date=December 30, 2024 |access-date=January 16, 2025 |website=sos.ca.gov |publisher=Secretary of State of California |page=7 |format=PDF |publication-place=Sacramento}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Michelle Steel (incumbent)|votes=78,022|percentage=54.9}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Derek Tran|votes=22,546|percentage=15.9}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Kim Bernice Nguyen-Penaloza|votes=22,179|percentage=15.6}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Cheyenne Hunt|votes=11,973|percentage=8.4}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Aditya Pai|votes=7,399|percentage=5.2}}

{{Election box total no change|votes=142,119|percentage=100.0}}

{{Election box open primary general election no change}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Derek Tran|votes=158,264|percentage=50.1}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Michelle Steel (incumbent)|votes=157,611|percentage=49.9}}

{{Election box total no change|votes=315,875|percentage=100.0}}

{{Election box gain with party link no change

|winner=Democratic Party (United States)

|loser=Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=2022 United States House of Representatives elections in California{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/11/08/us/elections/results-california-us-house-district-45.html|title=California Election Results: 45th Congressional District|work=The New York Times|date=November 8, 2022|access-date=November 26, 2022|archive-date=November 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126185515/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/11/08/us/elections/results-california-us-house-district-45.html|url-status=live}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (US)

| candidate = Michelle Steel (incumbent)

| votes = 113,163

| percentage = 52.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (US)

| candidate = Jay Chen

| votes = 102,802

| percentage = 47.6

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 215,965

| percentage = 100

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

| winner = Republican Party (US)

| loser = Democratic Party (US)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=2020 United States House of Representatives elections in California{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/results-california-house-district-48.html|title=California Election Results: 48th Congressional District|work=The New York Times|date=November 3, 2020|access-date=November 9, 2020|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109021438/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/results-california-house-district-48.html|url-status=live}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (US)

| candidate = Michelle Steel

| votes = 201,738

| percentage = 51.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (US)

| candidate = Harley Rouda (incumbent)

| votes = 193,362

| percentage = 48.9

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 395,100

| percentage = 100

}}

{{Election box gain with party link without swing

| winner = Republican Party (US)

| loser = Democratic Party (US)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no party no change

| title = Orange County Board of Supervisors 2nd district, 2018{{cite web |title=Orange County Statewide Direct Primary Election June 5, 2018 |url=https://www.ocvote.com/fileadmin/live/pri2018/results.htm |publisher=Orange County Elections |access-date=February 22, 2021 |archive-date=March 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314081055/https://www.ocvote.com/fileadmin/live/pri2018/results.htm |url-status=live }}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate no party no change

| party = Nonpartisan

| candidate = Michelle Steel (incumbent)

| votes = 80,854

| percentage = 63.4

}}

{{Election box candidate no party no change

| party = Nonpartisan

| candidate = Brendon Perkins

| votes = 31,387

| percentage = 24.6

}}

{{Election box candidate no party no change

| party = Nonpartisan

| candidate = Michael Mahony

| votes = 15,281

| percentage = 12.0

}}

{{Election box total no party no change

| votes = 127,522

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no party no change

| title = Orange County Board of Supervisors 2nd district, 2014{{cite web |title=Two New Faces join Board of Supervisors |date=November 5, 2014 |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2014/11/05/two-new-faces-join-board-of-supervisors/ |publisher=Orange County Elections |access-date=February 22, 2021 |archive-date=January 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101071148/https://www.ocregister.com/2014/11/05/two-new-faces-join-board-of-supervisors/ |url-status=live }}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate no party no change

| party = Nonpartisan

| candidate = Michelle Steel

| votes =

| percentage = 62.5

}}

{{Election box candidate no party no change

| party = Nonpartisan

| candidate = Allan Mansoor (incumbent)

| votes =

| percentage = 37.5

}}

{{Election box total no party no change

| votes =

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = 2010 State Board of Equalization District 3 election

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = California Republican Party

| candidate = Michelle Steel (incumbent)

| votes = 1,325,538

| percentage = 54.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = California Democratic Party

| candidate = Mary Christian Heising

| votes = 836,057

| percentage = 34.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Libertarian Party of California

| candidate = Jerry L. Dixon

| votes = 117,783

| percentage = 4.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Peace and Freedom Party

| candidate = Mary Lou Finley

| votes = 79,870

| percentage = 3.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = American Independent Party

| candidate = Terri Lussenheide

| votes = 59,513

| percentage = 2.4

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 2,418,761

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = California Republican Party

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=2006 State Board of Equalization District 3 election}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|

|party = California Republican Party

|candidate = Michelle Steel

|votes = 1,147,514

|percentage = 56.99

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|

|party = California Democratic Party

|candidate = Mary Christian-Heising

|votes = 774,499

|percentage = 38.47

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|

|party = Peace and Freedom Party

|candidate = Mary Finley

|votes = 91,467

|percentage = 4.54

}}

{{Election box total no change|

|votes = 2,013,480

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing|

|winner = California Republican Party

}}

{{Election box end}}

• List of Asian Americans and Pacific Islands Americans in the United States Congress
• Asian American and Pacific Islands American conservatism in the United States
• Asian Americans in United States politics
• Women in the United States House of Representatives

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons-inline}}

• [https://steel.house.gov Representative Michelle Steel] official U.S. House website
• [https://www.michellesteelca.com/ Campaign website]

{{CongLinks|votesmart=157194|fec=H0CA48198|congbio=S001135|congress=michelle-steel/S001135}}

• {{C-SPAN|113908}}

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{{s-ttl|title=Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
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{{USCongRep-start |congresses=117th–118th United States Congresses | state=California}}

{{USCongRep/CA/117}}

{{USCongRep/CA/118}}

{{USCongRep-end}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Steel, Michelle Park}}

Category:1955 births

Category:21st-century members of the United States House of Representatives

Category:21st-century American women politicians

Category:American women of Korean descent in politics

Category:Asian conservatism in the United States

Category:California politicians of Korean descent

Category:California Republicans

Category:Christians from California

Category:Female members of the United States House of Representatives

Category:Living people

Category:Marshall School of Business alumni

Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives of Asian descent

Category:Orange County Supervisors

Category:Politicians from Seoul

Category:People from Seal Beach, California

Category:Pepperdine University alumni

Category:Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from California

Category:South Korean emigrants to the United States

Category:Tea Party movement activists

Category:Women in California politics