Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., made historical past on Friday when the brand new 119th Congress was sworn in, making him the longest-serving Black U.S. senator.
The achievement marks a turning level in U.S. politics, the place Black People have been traditionally shut out of public workplace, significantly within the South. Scott, 59, has represented South Carolina within the U.S. Senate for 12 years.
The previous U.S. congressman, state consultant, and Charleston Metropolis Council member was first appointed to the Senate by then-South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley in January 2013. The subsequent 12 months, he gained a particular election to complete out the time period of former Sen. Jim DeMint and later gained reelection for 2 full phrases. Scott has beforehand stated his present time period, which ends in 2028, could be his final.
“As we start the 119th Congress, Senate Republicans have excessive enthusiasm and are centered on delivering for the American individuals! This Congress, I’m thrilled to function the Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee and the Nationwide Republican Senatorial Committee,” Senator Scott stated in a press release.
“My purpose is straightforward: make America work for People. As we get to work cleansing up the mess from the earlier administration, I look ahead to working with President Trump on his priorities, together with paving a path for all People to have the required instruments and sources to attain their model of the American Dream. We are going to unlock alternative, strengthen our nation, and make America the shining metropolis on the Hill once more.”
Shermichael Singleton, a Republican strategist, informed theGrio of Scott’s historic milestone, “His achievement is notable as a result of it has occurred within the GOP and never amongst Democrats.”
He continued, “Nevertheless, extra importantly, I hope it evokes younger Black males to see past their boundaries and declare their place as heirs of a terrific custom amongst Black males of religion, household, laborious work, and perseverance… To know their roles as males and leaders in our group and nation are wanted extra now than ever earlier than.”
After an unsuccessful bid for president within the 2024 Republican major election, Sen. Scott served as a significant surrogate for President-elect Donald Trump’s victorious 2024 marketing campaign, serving to Trump with help amongst Black voters, significantly Black males.
Throughout Trump’s first time period within the White Home, Scott was credited for guaranteeing the president’s legal justice reform legislation, The First Step Act, included Alternative Zones. This system was meant to offer financial improvement by offering tax advantages to buyers who invested in low-income areas, that are disproportionately Black and brown.
Nevertheless, knowledge analyzing this system concluded that its effectiveness is inconclusive at greatest. The Heart for American Progress’s evaluation of the tax provisions famous they’re “expensive and poorly focused and do little to create jobs or enhance circumstances in poor communities.”
Scott is understood to be well-liked on Capitol Hill amongst his colleagues on either side of the political aisle. He notably labored with Democrats to barter the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, key police reform laws that Black People and advocates demanded of elected officers.
Nevertheless, negotiations for the Floyd invoice finally imploded with Democrats pointing the blame at Scott and Republicans. On the time, Scott stated the deal fell aside as a result of Democrats wished to “defund the police” associated to grant cash for police that may’ve required departments to implement sure reforms earlier than receiving the federal funding.
Antjuan Seawright, a Democratic strategist, stated he congratulates Sen. Scott on his historic achievement, telling theGrio, “Whereas we don’t agree on 99.999% of points, I nonetheless assume it’s monumental whenever you cross any historic measure.” He added, “Meaning one thing.”
Nevertheless, Seawright argued, “Simply because he’s made historical past doesn’t imply historical past can’t be made once more as an African-American senator, who’s Democrat, who can serve longer than he has so far, and even longer.”
U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., entered the U.S. Senate simply a number of months after Scott. Assuming Booker stays within the Senate after Scott’s deliberate departure, that historical past may very well be made but once more within the years to return.
Regardless of Sen. Scott’s historic milestone, Seawright criticized his document as a U.S. senator.
“I don’t assume most African People would level to his legislative observe document and say, ‘Due to Tim Scott’s service as the US Senator, I can instantly communicate to what he’s carried out, or my life is instantly higher,’” stated the Democrat.
He continued, “I don’t assume he’s led on something … taking the only real lead on engaged on legislative issues which have a direct affect on on a regular basis African People.”
Seawright added, “That could be the distinction between how he views his work and the way, broadly talking, the African-American group views his work and his time in the US Congress.”
As a senior Black Republican, Scott will nearly definitely wield energy and affect on Capitol Hill and the incoming Trump White Home. The South Carolina Senator may even function the primary Black chairman of the Nationwide Republican Senatorial Committee, which will probably be liable for guaranteeing Republican victories in upcoming Senate elections.
Black historical past apart, Seawright argued that Scott’s voting document doesn’t replicate somebody “combating for the individuals who appear like you.”
If Republicans “wish to improve the citizens and acquire extra broad help” amongst Black voters, Seawright concluded, “[Sen. Scott’s] gonna have to consider what his governing seems like, and the way the marketing campaign path interprets to the governing aspect.”
