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A guide to what the 2024 US election means for Washington and the world.
Donald Trump’s allies support Florida Sen. Rick Scott as the party’s new leader in the Senate, calling on allies to help push the president-elect’s policies through Congress. I’m looking for.
The pro-Trump former Florida governor is running against Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and John Thune of South Dakota, allies of outgoing leader Mitch McConnell. The winner of the leadership contest will become Senate Majority Leader in the next Congress and take office in January.
The contest will be an early test of President Trump and his MAGA movement’s influence in Congress upon his return to power. Senate Republicans are scheduled to vote Wednesday in a secret ballot to decide their next leader. The party already has a majority in the Senate and is likely to maintain control of the House of Commons, according to Cook’s political report.
While Mr. Thune and Mr. Cornyn were considered the front-runners, Mr. Scott, a former Florida governor who was just elected to a second term in the U.S. Senate, was among the candidates to compete against Marco Rubio, Bill Hagerty, Ron Johnson, Rand Paul. Hagerty and Rubio are seen as front-runners for cabinet positions in the new Trump administration.
“This new majority leader must be able to work with President Trump to advance America First policies,” Hagerty said on social media platform X on Saturday.
He added, “That’s why I want to meet with the Senate majority leader who will join me in embracing President Trump’s policies that will unite Senate Republicans.” I’m going to vote for Rick Scott on Wednesday. ”
Right-wing celebrities Tucker Carlson, Glenn Beck, Charlie Kirk, billionaire Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have all endorsed Scott’s candidacy.
“Rick Scott of Florida is the only candidate who agrees with Donald Trump. Call your senators and demand public support for Rick Scott,” Carlson posted on X did.
Scott has cast himself as the best candidate to bring change to the Senate.
“To carry out President Trump’s policies, we have to change the way the Senate operates,” Scott told Fox News on Sunday. “I’ve talked to my colleagues, and I think we all recognize that changes need to happen. So the question will be, who’s going to make sure these things get done?”
President Trump has not endorsed a candidate in the race, but he spoke out on the Truth social platform on Sunday, saying that Republicans seeking the post will use the Senate’s recess during the Senate’s recess to secure positions in the next government. He said he should support the appointment of Filled “in a timely manner”.
He also urged senators to refrain from confirming judges during the lame duck period, which runs from now until January, when Democrats still hold a majority.
“No judges should be confirmed during this period, as Democrats seek to thoroughly criticize the judges while Republicans scramble for control,” he wrote.
