Tim Scott becomes longest-serving black senator at start of 119th Congress

Republican South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott on Friday became the longest-serving black senator at the start of the 119th Congress, and the first black senator to serve as chairman of a Senate standing committee.

Scott, who first started in the Senate in 2012 after former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley appointed him to fill the remainder of former Sen. Jim DeMint's term, is one of only five black senators in the 119th Congress and the sole black Republican senator.

The South Carolinian will serve as chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee. He was previously the committee's ranking member before Republicans flipped control of the upper chamber in November.

“My goal is simple: make America work for Americans,” Scott said in a statement to CNN. “As we get to work cleaning up the mess from the previous administration, I look forward to working with [President-elect Donald] 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. We will unlock opportunity, strengthen our nation, and make America the shining city on the Hill again.”

Scott replaces former Massachusetts Sen. Edward Brooke, a Republican, as the longest-serving black senator. Brooke served in the Senate from 1967-79, according to The Hill.

The other four black senators in the 119th Congress are Democratic Sens. Raphael Warnock of Georgia, Cory Booker of New Jersey, Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland, and Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware. Rochester and Alsobrooks are starting their first Senate term.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.