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The first big test of Donald Trump’s second presidency is looming with the President-elect calling on a new Senate majority leader to send the Senate into recess so Trump can bypass the confirmations process and install his cabinet immediately.
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., has already voiced his support for Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., to serve as the Senate majority leader when Trump takes office, with Scott promising to follow Trump’s lead and make the unprecedented move.
Alabama’s other Senator, Katie Britt, has not endorsed any of the three leading candidates, which has led far-right influencers to call her out on social media and push her into supporting Scott.
A spokesperson for Britt told APR Monday evening that she is waiting to question the candidates at a forum hosted by Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, on Tuesday ahead of the Wednesday secret ballot vote.
“She has also spoken to each of the candidates twice in the past two weeks. Sen. Britt wants the next Republican Senate leader to significantly overhaul how the Senate has been operating and make it actually work for the American people,” said Britt’s spokesperson. “She will be looking for candidates to showcase the ability to successfully advance President Trump’s agenda through Congress; a commitment to restore regular order in the appropriations process and end omnibuses; and a plan to empower committees and decentralize power within the chamber. She will ensure Alabama continues to have a strong seat at the table and that our state’s values, people, and priorities are put first. Last week was a tremendous victory for our nation. Working with President Trump, a Republican Senate majority is ready to deliver real results and achieve commonsense solutions for the American people. Sen. Britt is eager to get to work and put America back on track.”
Scott has gained the support of figures influential in trump’s reelection bid including Elon Musk, Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon and has also gained the public backing of several Senators in addition to Tuberville. However, sources inside the Senate have pointed to Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, as the more probable majority leaders.
The public pressure campaign on lawmakers like Britt may be backfiring, Senate sources told outlets including The Hill and Axios on Monday.
It is “definitely backfiring on him. At this point I won’t vote for him for anything ever,” one Republican told Axios.
One top aide of a Senate Republican told The Hill that the member “could not be more turned off” by the coercion tactics and described the level of efficacy in pushing them away as a “10 out of 10.”
