Tim Scott’s presidential bid adds complexity to Senate GOP agenda.

Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) Takes Campaign to Iowa

Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) recently embarked on a trip to Pella, Iowa, to connect with caucusgoers as part of his presidential campaign. This visit marks just one of many trips he has made to the Hawkeye State, which holds the first GOP primary in 2024. A few weekends ago, he attended the annual “Roast and Ride” event, a lively barbecue and motorcycle parade organized by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA).

However, this particular trip forced Scott to miss five Senate votes on Wednesday and two more on Thursday. While these were the first votes he has missed since launching his campaign in May, it is likely that more will follow, as it is common for senators running for higher office to be absent from Washington. In fact, during the 2016 election, top candidates missed up to a third of their votes in order to focus on their campaigns.

Scott’s absence poses a unique challenge for Senate Republicans in this Congress. Despite being in the minority, the party has managed to put President Joe Biden on the defensive by derailing his nominees and forcing vetoes. This success has been partly due to defections from swing state Democrats like Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV). However, with the Senate evenly divided, attendance plays a crucial role in determining the outcome of certain votes.

For example, in April, the Senate voted to overturn Biden’s rule on trucking emissions because of a single absence: Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), who was recovering from shingles in her home state. Scott recognizes the importance of his presence in the Senate chamber when necessary and maintains regular contact with Sen. John Thune (R-SD), the minority whip.

“Well, he’s very good about informing us what his schedule is, and, you know, he’s running for national office,” Thune said. “So, we all get that, but, you know, there are votes where it matters. He’ll be here.”

Scott has assured his colleagues that he will always be available for consequential votes, even if it means taking a short plane ride back to Washington. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) confirmed this commitment, stating that Scott has expressed his availability to be the decisive vote on any significant matter.

However, balancing the demands of the Capitol with the rigorous nature of a presidential campaign is already proving to be a challenge for Scott. He recently expressed concern about potentially missing a vote on repealing the president’s new rule on pistol braces. Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA), the sponsor of the resolution, agreed to postpone the vote to accommodate Scott’s schedule.

“Tim’s going to be back for my CRA,” Kennedy assured. “I had given some thought to doing it this week, and he — Tim, you know, he’s so conscientious that he said, ‘Oh my gosh, I might miss your vote,’ and I said, ‘Well, you know, I can move my vote.'”

While Scott’s campaign commitments may occasionally clash with Senate votes, Republicans understand the importance of granting him some flexibility. They believe that as a presidential candidate, he should be given leniency, especially considering his strong voting record in the last Congress, where he only missed 2% of votes.

Although Scott’s absence may present challenges for Senate Republicans, they remain confident in their ability to navigate these hurdles. They recognize that the timing of votes is crucial, and while Scott’s presence is valuable, they understand the need for him to focus on his campaign. Ultimately, they believe that his absence will not hinder their efforts to challenge Biden’s regulatory agenda.

While Scott’s missed votes may impact his role on committees, particularly in the Banking committee where he serves as the ranking Republican, he has already taken steps to address this issue. He has been in contact with his Republican colleagues on the committee to coordinate and distribute the workload during his campaign.

Overall, Scott’s campaign for president brings both excitement and challenges, but he remains committed to fulfilling his duties as a senator while actively pursuing his presidential aspirations.