U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), a top ally of President-Elect Donald Trump, is now the longest-serving black member of the U.S. Senate. 

Scott achieved this historical accomplishment this past week, when he was sworn into the 199th Congress, the Daily Mail reports.

Scott has proven himself to be one of Trump's top allies in the upper chamber. The senator helped Trump on the 2024 campaign trial, and, at one point, there was significant talk about Scott playing a serious role in Trump's administration - perhaps even as vice president.

Trump, however, went with Vice President-Elect J.D. Vance, and it now appears that Scott will continue to pursue Trump's policies in the Senate.

Scott makes history

The Washington Examiner reports that Scott is now the longest-serving black senator. Scott took that title from former Sen. Edward Brooke (MA).

Per the outlet:

Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) became the longest-serving black senator on Friday when he was sworn into the 119th Congress. The previous longest-serving black senator was former Massachusetts Sen. Edward Brooke, who served two full terms from 1967 to 1979.

The Daily Mail reports that Scott has been in the U.S. Senate since December 2012.

The outlet writes:

Scott, 59, was first appointed to fill the South Carolina Senate seat by then-Governor Nikki Haley in December 2012 to replace retiring Senator Jim DeMint. He then was elected in 2014 to fill the rest of DeMint's term and won reelection to his first full term in 2016.

The outlet goes on to explain that this is not Scott's only achievement. "As well as being the longest-serving black senator in U.S. history, Scott will also be the first black chairman of a Senate standing committee," the Daily Mail reports.

Scott: "I am thrilled"

Scott has released a statement on the situation.

He said:

As we begin the 119th Congress, Senate Republicans have high enthusiasm and are focused on delivering for the American people! This Congress, I am thrilled to serve as the Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee and the National Republican Senatorial Committee

Scott went on to say that his "goal is simple."

He stated:

My goal is simple: make America work for Americans. As we get to work cleaning up the mess from the previous administration, I look forward to working with President Trump on his priorities, including paving a path for all Americans to have the necessary tools and resources to achieve their version of the American Dream.

Scott said that he wants to "unlock opportunity, strengthen our nation, and make America the shining city on the Hill again."