Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.) will deliver the Republican response to President Biden’s address next week before a joint session of Congress.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) announced Thursday that Scott, a potential 2024 contender and the only Black Republican senator, would get the plum speaking spot, which is used to highlight rising stars within the party.
“Senator Tim Scott is not just one of the strongest leaders in our Senate Republican Conference. He is one of the most inspiring and unifying leaders in our nation,” McConnell said in a statement.
McCarthy added that Scott was “a conservative optimist with the right vision for a stronger, more united country.”
“No member in Congress epitomizes the essence of today’s Republican Party more than my friend and colleague Senator Scott,” he added.
Other potential White House hopefuls including Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.) and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley have previously delivered the GOP response.
Scott has been in the Senate since 2013. He’s up for reelection in 2022, and has said that it will be his last run for Senate.
“I’m excited and honored for this opportunity to address the nation,” Scott said in a statement. “I look forward to having an honest conversation with the American people and sharing Republicans’ optimistic vision for expanding opportunity and empowering working families.”
Republicans have been struggling to define Biden nearly 100 days into his administration.
Biden will deliver his joint address to Congress on April 28. He’s expected to discuss, among other things, the need for police reform — an issue that Scott is directly involved in on Capitol Hill.
Scott is working on the issue with Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.), and the three were spotted walking through the Senate basement together earlier Thursday.