Senator Rick Scott proposes continuous Senate sessions to advance GOP agenda

Senator Rick Scott of Florida has proposed that Senate Republicans remain in Washington and work continuously to advance their policy priorities before Democrats take control of the chamber in January.

Following recent midterm election losses that will shift the Senate majority to Democrats, Scott’s motion to maximize time in Washington passed unanimously within the Senate Republican Conference. Scott argued that lawmakers should work through weekends and holidays, including Thanksgiving and Christmas, to confirm judicial nominees and pass legislation regarding inflation, federal spending, and the National Defense Authorization Act.

The proposal comes as Republicans prepare for the transition to the 120th Congress on January 3. During the conference meeting, which also included leadership elections, Senator John Thune was reelected as the Senate Republican leader. Some members had initially urged a delay in leadership votes to assess election results, but the conference proceeded with the elections.