McConnell pulls rival Rick Scott off powerful Commerce Committee

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McConnell pulls rival Rick Scott off powerful Commerce Committee

BY ALEXANDER BOLTON - 02/01/23 6:05 PM ET

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has pulled Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), who tried to oust him as the Senate’s top Republican in a bruising leadership race, off the powerful Commerce Committee. 

McConnell also removed Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), who supported Scott’s bid to replace McConnell as leader, from the Commerce panel, which has broad jurisdiction over a swath of federal agencies. 

The GOP leader insisted last year that he didn’t take the attempt to end his leadership reign personally, but the latest move sends a clear message to conservatives that challenging McConnell’s leadership carries a cost.

“McConnell got to pick. He kicked me off; he kicked Lee off,” Scott confirmed in an interview. 

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https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/3840167-mcconnell-pulls-rival-rick-scott-off-powerful-commerce-committee/

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Rick Scott cries political retribution after senator loses spot on Commerce

by Samantha-Jo Roth, Congressional Reporter
February 01, 2023 06:52 PM

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.”

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.

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