Sen. Rick Scott (R-Florida) explained in an exclusive interview with Breitbart News that he will be the Republican Senate leader who will implement President Donald Trump's policies.
Scott, who just won a landslide re-election victory and is one of three Senate Republican leadership candidates, explained how he will work to fulfill the mandate that the American people gave President Trump. .
“I believe in President Trump's policies,” Scott told Breitbart News. “He has a mission. There has to be a way to make sure he accomplishes what he started.”
Scott, who arrived at the Senate half in Trump's first turn, knows what challenges lie ahead for the Senate during Trump's next term, and Democratic leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.C.) New York) told Breitbart News that they will use all means possible to stop Trump.
“We have to finish his candidacy quickly,” Scott said. “We know Mr. Schumer is trying to block them, but then we have to figure out how to make it happen, whatever the bill needs to be. Whether it's reconciliation or whether it takes 60 votes, we We're going to have to say, “How are we going to get there?'' Work together to accomplish President Trump's agenda, which the people are demanding. ”
The budget reconciliation process, which allows the Senate to advance certain bills with a simple majority, has emerged as a tool to circumvent the Senate's 60-vote requirement for most bills. Republicans have proposed using reconciliation on everything from energy bills to tax reform.
Scott demonstrated knowledge of the Senate's history, but continued to focus on the future direction of the Senate. He generously never used Republican leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) by name when talking about his preference for a different leadership style.
“The style of leadership…they had their approach,” Scott said, arguing that Republicans could enjoy success by moving away from a top-down style. “This is similar to what happened with Lyndon Johnson. He was always a person who would choose his way or the highway. And Mike Mansfield treated all senators equally. And , I think most people think of Mike Mansfield as a very successful majority leader.”
Johnson, who served as Senate Majority Leader from 1954 until he became vice president in 1961, was known for a ruthless, authoritarian style that transformed both the leadership and the Senate itself. Mansfield, who replaced Johnson in leading the Senate until 1977, took a much more lenient approach, but was still successful.
Even though the majority of senators have remained openly loyal to McConnell's leadership style during his tenure, Scott said most senators have no idea what bills or amendments are being considered on the floor. He said he feels he will get more opinions on the matter.
“When you talk to your colleagues, they want to be treated equally,” he says. “They want to be heard. They want to be part of the team. They want to accomplish something. They want to help Mr. Trump. So… I think I have a unique background to do that.”
Mr. Scott's two opponents in the Senate race are closely related to Mr. McConnell and his leadership style. Sen. John Thune (R-South Dakota) currently serves as Mr. McConnell's chief deputy. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) previously held the position before Thune was forced to step down due to term limits.
Breitbart also offered interviews with Thun and Cornyn. Each declined through a spokesperson.
Mr. Scott, who rose from poverty to serve in the Navy and achieved incredible success in the private sector, cited his business accomplishments as proof that he knew how to get things done.
“I did this,” he said. “I'm a businessman. In business you have to build a team. You have to have very specific objectives. You have to have a plan. You have to have a plan. Results. So my goal is to help all of my colleagues accomplish what they want to accomplish, but most importantly, to help President Trump accomplish what he wants to accomplish. That’s it.”
Mr. Scott has received a surge of conservative support not only from the grassroots but also from celebrities such as Tucker Carlson and Elon Musk.
“I'm very grateful to the people who support me, but I think what they're supporting is the fact that I have the right background to carry out President Trump's policies.” he said.
Scott encouraged both Americans and senators to join the leadership race.
“This is how our government works, its representative government,” he said. “And I think everyone should have their voice heard. I always say to people, tell me what you think is wrong. I mean, this is my job. I'm running to represent you. That means you should tell me what you think.”
Senate rules can prevent speedy consideration of nominations, and the clock is often a senator's worst enemy when it comes to finalizing nominations. “I've been here six years and I have no plans to finish a candidate,” Scott said, adding that he would prioritize filling out Trump's team.
“You know what the needs are,” he said. “We know how many candidates there are, so we know how long it will take. First, we should sit down with the president and write a plan, and then, if we have the opportunity, we should allow the president to schedule his vacation.” is [when] we are on vacation. Maybe there's still a process to see if Republican senators are comfortable with these nominees, but I think we need to give it our all. ”
Scott said he will stop at nothing to fight “the Democrats who are destroying this country.”
“Chuck Schumer is going to do everything he can to slow down Trump's candidate, Trump's agenda,” he said. “He did that the whole time Trump was president. So what we have to do is push back decisively and make sure this country can start on the right path that we need to take. , to advocate for any process to accelerate candidate employment.”
Fundraising is an important part of a leader's job, and Scott believes re-election of incumbents should be a priority. However, he also believes that funding and spending approaches should be reconsidered.
“This money is not given for leaders,” he argued. “Money is given to win elections. What leaders want is not to win elections, but winning elections is good for the Republican Party. So my role is to do what I did in business. , getting feedback and involving people.”
Scott will also run for the top spot in the Senate Republican conference in 2022, his first challenge since McConnell became leader. His overt approach differs from his two opponents, who campaign directly for senators in a more behind-the-scenes, behind-the-scenes style.
“I've been meeting with my colleagues. I've asked them what they want,” he said. “I made it very clear in my ’22 letter how I think we must change, and in this year’s letter how we must change. They've been very clear about what they need to do, and their support has skyrocketed, and I think President Trump has organically decided that this is very important to carry out his policy.”
Scott warned Republicans not to make the Democratic mistake of forgetting who voters care about and are concerned about. He believes his record of supporting President Trump's America First policies, transparent leadership style, and open communication with his constituents and colleagues in the Senate make him well-suited for this role.
Mr. Schumer “lost his majority by not listening to the American people,” Mr. Scott said. “Harris lost the presidency because the Democrats are tone-deaf to the people's position. So they probably want men to take over women's sports, they want open borders. I think they will continue on the path they are on. They want eternal war. And the people have rejected it.
“Unfortunately, their position bodes poorly for Democrats and Democratic senators, but I think it will help us win future elections if we do what we say we're going to do.”
Bradley Jay is Breitbart News' Capitol Hill correspondent. Follow him on X/Twitter. @BradleyAJay.
