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Senator Katie Britt, R-Alabama, addressed social media rumors that she didn’t support Sen. Rick Scott, R-Florida, for Senate majority leader during a recent appearance on conservative radio program Rightside Radio.
Republicans elected Sen. John Thune, R-South Dakota, as Senate majority leader on Nov. 13. Thune beat out Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Scott for the position.
Scott received endorsements from Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Alabama, as well as from Tucker Carlson, Robert Kennedy Jr., Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy and Steve Bannon.
Tuberville cited his belief that Scott would be the best ally to President-elect Donald Trump as the basis of his endorsement.
“He needs somebody to work with,” Tuberville said of Trump, continuing, “Rick Scott knows him. He’s a business guy. He’s been out there. He’s signed checks before. He understands the business world like President Trump. They can communicate. That’s the reason I’m voting for Rick Scott.”
Scott was eliminated in the first round of voting, after which the vote went to Thune 29-24.
While Tuberville publicly endorsed Scott, Britt declined to endorse a candidate before senators voted on the appointments, after which she released a press release saying she voted for Scott.
Rightside Radio host Phil Williams asked Britt to confirm that she voted for Scott during the first round of voting following rumors on social media that she had supported Thune.
Williams said, “Deal with the question right now, did you in fact vote for Rick Scott?”
Britt responded that she did vote for Scott during the first round of voting despite online claims that she did otherwise.
Britt claimed Scott was the most fit to initiate change in the Senate, saying: “Rick had both a vision and the will. He had the relationships; he had the background to do the kind of overhaul that we need right now, and so I was proud to vote for Rick Scott.”
Britt cited the source of rumors as lists published on social media reporting to contain the senators votes for majority leader that did not include her voting for Scott. Britt said the lists published on social media were false and anger towards her for not supporting Scott was misplaced.
“At the end of the day, not only do I give you my word, Rick Scott and Mike Lee have backed up that I gave them mine before the vote as well,” Britt said.
Although she said she was disappointed Scott wasn’t chosen, Britt said: “I am really encouraged that immediately after the vote, you saw John Thune get on the phone with Donald Trump.”
Speaking on the majority leader appointments, Britt continued: “We received a message from the American people on Nov. 5 and every one of those men when they stood up and gave their remarks talked about understanding that and understanding and the importance of getting moving immediately on President Trump’s agenda.”
Tuberville, since Thune’s election, has said the majority leader “has no choice” but to push Trump’s agenda. The senator has also warned against Republican senators voting against Trump cabinet appointments following controversy over cabinet picks such as Rep. Matt Gaetz R-Florida.
When asked by Williams if she thought any cabinet nominations would face difficulty getting approved, referencing Gaetz’s appointment, Britt said. “Listen, I think all hands are on deck to get as many cabinet appointments done as fast as we can, obviously doing our due diligence through the process,” she said.
Britt urged Thune to schedule the most clear-cut appointments first. “If you’re having trouble, you don’t let that hang up everything else,” she said.
