The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

Florida’s Rick Scott sworn in as senator

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January 8, 2019 at 4:39 p.m. EST
Surrounded by family members, Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) is ceremoniously sworn into office by Vice President Mike Pence, right, at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday. (Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post)

Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) was sworn in on Tuesday, rounding out the ranks of the Senate.

The arrival of Scott, who defeated Sen. Bill Nelson (D) in November’s midterm elections, cements Republicans’ 53-seat majority in the Senate. Democrats hold 45 seats, and there are two independents who caucus with Democrats.

Although most new members were sworn in last week, Scott was delayed in joining the Senate because he finished out his term as Florida’s governor.

Among those present for Scott’s swearing-in by Vice President Pence on Tuesday were three Republican former senators from Florida: Connie Mack III, Mel Martinez and George LeMieux.

Scott’s successor in the Florida governor’s mansion, Republican Ron DeSantis, was sworn in to office Tuesday morning, with Scott in attendance.

Scott arrives in Washington at a moment when the partial government shutdown is on its third week, as President Trump has refused to sign a spending bill that does not fund a wall that he repeatedly vowed would be financed by Mexico.

During an interview Friday with The Washington Post, Scott said the shutdown was regrettable. But he offered no specific solution for breaking the impasse and would not say whether he agreed with Trump’s position.

Sean Sullivan contributed to this report.