Sens. Rick Scott (R-FL) and Mike Lee (R-UT) are no longer members of the powerful Senate Commerce Committee, a decision some conservatives say is retribution for last year’s leadership challenge to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
Scott and Lee are notable members of the self-proclaimed “Breakfast Club” that has aired its grievances with McConnell and GOP leadership openly. The junior senator from Florida, who unsuccessfully ran for McConnell’s job shortly after the midterm elections, has been a vocal critic of McConnell and said he blames him directly for the removal.
“This is what happens when you challenge leadership,” Scott said in a statement provided to the Washington Examiner. “It was McConnell’s decision to remove someone who has actually run businesses and ran the third largest state from a committee I’ve served on for four years. You’ll have to ask him why.”
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McConnell’s office declined to comment. The Senate will approve resolutions organizing committees Thursday after the minority leader finally released Senate GOP committee assignments Wednesday, nearly a month into the 118th Congress.
The delay was caused in part by a Senate Republican Conference precedent that prohibits senators from the same state serving on a committee together without one getting a waiver. Last week, the conference voted down a bid from freshman Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) to get a waiver to serve on the Judiciary Committee with fellow Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO).
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The move would have booted more senior members, such as Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) or Thom Tillis (R-NC), from the prestigious panel.
Republicans are set to lose their equal split on committees under the new 51-49 Democratic-controlled Senate. Democrats led the previous 50-50 Senate last Congress because their party controls the White House, but they had a power-sharing agreement with Republicans that provided for an even split on committees. Republicans now lose a seat on most committees as a result.
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Republican Whip John Thune (R-SD) admitted there were “several hiccups” during the process but didn’t elaborate on what played out. Republicans determine their assignments by having each senator rank his or her preferences. Seniority and rankings are also considered. Additionally, there’s a large freshman class this session, with five new senators, which insiders say contributed to the committee shuffling.
Scott’s office said he was cut from the committee after he ranked the panel as his third choice. However, it also noted that he was not given a different committee assignment as a replacement. Lee’s office did not respond to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment.
