Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) removed one of his top intraparty rivals from the Commerce Committee, delivering the blow via text message.
McConnell pulled Sens. Rick Scott (R-FL) and Mike Lee (R-UT) from their positions on the Commerce Committee, a decision that some conservatives say is an act of retribution after the pair sought to challenge the Kentucky Republican’s leadership. Scott unsuccessfully ran against McConnell for Senate minority leader in late December, and Lee backed the Florida senator’s bid.
RICK SCOTT CRIES POLITICAL RETRIBUTION AFTER SENATOR LOSES SPOT ON COMMERCE
“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.”
Scott and Lee served on the Commerce Committee during the last Congress, helping lead the panel that oversees the regulation of consumer products and services as well as the activity of several federal agencies. The pair of senators have long voiced opposition to McConnell’s leadership, forming a group known as the “Breakfast Club” that openly airs its grievances with GOP leadership.
Scott noted his challenge to McConnell’s Senate leadership position was likely what led to his ouster — a decision he found out about through a text message, according to the Hill. However, McConnell has maintained he was not offended by Scott’s challenge, eventually besting the Florida senator in a 37-10 vote.
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“I’m not in any way offended by having an opponent or having a few votes in opposition,” McConnell said shortly after he won the leadership election. “I’m pretty proud of 37 to 10.”
McConnell replaced Scott and Lee — as well as Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), who voluntarily stepped down to join the Finance Committee — with freshman Sens. Ted Budd (NC), Eric Schmitt (MO), and J.D. Vance (OH).
