Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) has made history Friday.
Scott became the longest-serving African American in the 235-year history of the United States Senate. Scott, the first elected Black senator from the South, was the first to serve in both chambers of Congress — the House of Representatives and the Senate, per ABC News.
African Americans gained the right to vote through the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
The late Republican Sen. Edward Brooke (R-Mass.) was the previous longest-serving Black senator. He was in office from 1967 until 1979.
“As we begin the 119th Congress, Senate Republicans have high enthusiasm and are focused on delivering for the American people! This Congress, I am thrilled to serve as the Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee and the National Republican Senatorial Committee,” Scott said in a statement, per USA Today. “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,” he said per ABC News.
“We will unlock opportunity, strengthen our nation, and make America the shining city on the Hill again,” he continued.
Scott previously spoke about how great America is when he was a freshman senator.
“I believe in the greatness of America because I have experienced the goodness of our people in America. An ordinary guy like me can be blessed with an extraordinary opportunity like this,” he said at the time.
Many gave Scott their congratulations on X:
Well deserved accolades.
— Jeanne Cleve (@jeanne_cleve) January 3, 2025
— Clare Anne Ath (@clareanneath) January 3, 2025
