Rick Scott kicked off committee after challenging Mitch McConnell

By Eric Daugherty

Published Feb. 2, 2023, 9:46 a.m. ET | Updated Feb. 2, 2023

Florida Sen. Rick Scott speaking with attendees at the 2022 Student Action Summit at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Fla., July 23, 2022. (Photo/Gage Skidmore)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (FLV) – After challenging Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-KY, for his position as Senate minority leader, Sen. Rick Scott, R-FL, was kicked off of the Senate Commerce Committee.

McConnell also removed Sen. Mike Lee, R-UT.

Scott told the New York Post “this is what happens when you challenge leadership.”

The Florida senator announced his bid to challenge McConnell after the 2022 midterms in November. Ultimately, McConnell prevailed and declared “I’m not going anywhere.”

After news circulated of Scott’s removal from committee, he retweeted Turning Point USA’s Charlie Kirk, who decried McConnell as part of the “DC swamp.”

“Mitch McConnell just booted Senators Mike Lee and Rick Scott from the Senate Commerce Committee. These are two of the best senators in the country,” Kirk said. “Their crime? Challenging Mitch McConnell. The DC swamp strikes again.”

Lee noted McConnell has “unreviewable discretion to make certain committee assignments,” which is why he was able to singlehandedly boot both of them off that particular committee.

“If you simply want to stick with the status quo, don’t vote for me,” Scott told senators before the vote for Senate Republican leadership. “We must start saying what we are for, not just what we are against. I do not believe we can simply continue to say the Democrats are radical, which they are. Republican voters expect and deserve to know our plan to promote and advance conservative values.”

Scott’s challenge came after what many Republicans saw as a disappointing midterm election. The GOP faced major swing state Senate losses in Arizona, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Georgia.

Other states, like Wisconsin, saw GOP-favored races much closer than expected.

The Florida Senator said his leadership would revitalize Republican performances across the U.S.

“We need to listen to their calls for action and start governing in Washington like we campaign back at home. There is a Republican Party that is alive and well in communities across America. It is time there is one in Washington, D.C., too. That is why I am running to be Republican Leader,” he explained.

Scott and McConnell have been at odds over political strategy for most of 2022.