NEW: Senator Rick Scott Gets Major Role On Capitol Hill

Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) is set to chair the Senate Special Committee on Aging, a key role that could shape policy discussions on issues affecting seniors nationwide. While his ascension to the seat reflects Scott’s rising influence in Washington, it also brings a trusted aide into the spotlight.

McKinley Lewis, who has been Scott’s communications director since 2016, will now serve as staff director for the committee, Scott’s office confirmed to Politico. The Senate Special Committee on Aging holds significant sway over matters such as Social Security, Medicare, and long-term care — issues that resonate deeply with an aging population.

As chair, Scott will face both policy and political pressures as he navigates these critical topics, particularly with Republicans looking to solidify their agenda in a narrowly divided Congress. “Let’s get to work!” Lewis posted on social media after the announcement.

Let’s get to work! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/lZC6y1b2X7

— McKinley Lewis (@McKinleyPLewis) November 22, 2024

Lewis’s history with Scott began in the Florida governor’s office, where he managed communications during Scott’s tenure. His transition to the Senate office and now to the Aging Committee cements his role as one of Scott’s most trusted advisors.

Scott, known for his business acumen and cost-cutting ethos, is expected to bring a results-oriented approach to the committee. His leadership could signal a renewed focus on reforms aimed at ensuring fiscal sustainability while addressing the immediate needs of seniors, particularly in his home state of Florida, which has one of the highest proportions of retirees in the country.

While the committee itself does not craft legislation, its work often lays the groundwork for major policy debates. Scott’s new role provides him with a platform to amplify Republican priorities in a space that has traditionally seen bipartisan cooperation.

Scott was re-elected to a second term in the 2024 election, defeating Democratic former congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell. Before his tenure in the Senate, Scott served as the 45th Governor of Florida from 2011 to 2019. His political career followed a business background, notably as co-founder of Columbia Hospital Corporation, which later became Columbia/HCA, the nation’s largest for-profit healthcare company.

In November, Scott sought the position of Senate Majority Leader but was not elected. Scott has been a vocal supporter of President-elect Donald Trump, aligning with his policies and advocating for swift confirmations of Trump’s nominees. He has also expressed his concerns over reports that FEMA field teams were instructed to avoid homes displaying Trump support during hurricane recovery efforts, seeking accountability for such actions.

In a “Dear Colleague” letter addressed to his fellow Republican senators on Tuesday, Scott called for the need for significant reforms. “I believe that now is the time for dramatic change in the Senate and in Washington,” he wrote. “President Trump won with a mandate, and it is now incumbent on us as Republican senators to respond to the clear wishes of the American people and implement his agenda and confirm his nominees.”

“Stop the surprises and create a plan to achieve our legislative goals that we can work on and schedule around,” he wrote.

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