One of two freshman House Republicans elected by their peers as liaisons to party leadership, Representative Scott is already publicly taking issue with Speaker John Boehner of Ohio and other leaders over the need for deeper spending cuts.
In another year that would be a risky, even reckless, career move. But Republicans owe their majority to the tea party surge in 2010, and leaders are bending conventional wisdom that freshmen should be seen but not heard.
At issue is a tough vote, expected as early as March, to raise the nation’s $14.3 trillion debt limit. Scott, among other tea party-backed freshmen, is calling for budget cuts this year as high as $300 billion. GOP leaders have promised $100 billion.
He was invited to join the Congressional Black Caucus, but declined. He has pledged to serve no more than four terms.
