SC’s Tim Scott celebrates becoming longest-serving Black senator in US history
Written by Black Hot Fire Network on January 3, 2025
South Carolina’s Tim Scott on Friday will become the longest-serving Black senator in the country’s history.
The milestone for the North Charleston Republican comes as the upper chamber will now include the largest group of Black senators to ever serve at the same time.
In the new 119th Congress, to be sworn in Friday, Scott as incoming chairman of the Senate’s Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee also will become the first Black chairman of a Senate standing committee.
Scott will serve on five other Senate committees, including finance, and run the National Republican Senatorial Committee to help boost Republican campaign chances in 2026.
“As we begin the 119th Congress, Senate Republicans have high enthusiasm and are focused on delivering for the American people,” Scott said in part of a provided statement Friday. “My goal is simple: make America work for Americans. As we get to work cleaning up the mess from the previous administration, I look forward to working with President Trump on his priorities, including paving a path for all Americans to have the necessary tools and resources to achieve their version of the American Dream.”
Scott, a former state lawmaker and Charleston County councilman, served in the U.S. House before he was appointed to the Senate in 2012 by then-Gov. Nikki Haley to serve the rest of former Sen. Jim DeMint’s term.
Then, Scott, who grew up in poverty and was raised by a single mother, became the first Black senator since Reconstruction.
Scott and Haley ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination last year.
Rainier Ehrhardt/AP
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FR155191 AP
The new Congress will be sworn in Friday afternoon.
Both chambers will be controlled by Republicans, who’ll hold a slim majority in the House.
Scott’s tenure won’t be the only milestone for South Carolina’s federal delegation.
On Friday, for the first time for the Palmetto State, two women will serve at the same time: Republican Reps. Nancy Mace of the 1st District and newcomer Sheri Biggs of the 3rd District who succeeds Rep. Jeff Duncan.
Sheri Biggs Campaign
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