United States Senator Tim Scott represents the people of the State of South Carolina in the United States Senate. Prior to being sworn in to the Senate, Senator Scott served in the United States House of Representatives from 2011-2013, where he was a member of House leadership and sat on the influential House Rules Committee. Senator Scott also served on Charleston County Council for 13 years, including four terms as Chair and in the South Carolina House of Representatives for two years where he was elected Chairman of the Freshman Caucus and House Whip. He was the owner of Tim Scott Allstate and partner of Pathway Real Estate Group.
1) Most of today’s headlines focus on how Congress is gridlocked along party lines. The “Credit Score Competition Act,” which you introduced with Senator Mark Warner, is an example of both sides coming together. What about your bill appeals to bipartisanship support?
Although Mark and I belong to different political parties, at the end of the day, we both believe in the fundamental elements that make up the American Dream. One of those pillars is most certainly homeownership. I didn’t grow up with much, and for most of my childhood our home consisted of a small apartment for a family of five. It was then that I learned to really get a sense of the pride that comes with working to own a home. The goal of homeownership isn’t a Republican or Democratic issue, it is a goal everyday Americans are working to achieve. I want to be able to make it a reality for folks who have shown they are creditworthy and deserve a shot to fulfill this incredible goal.
2) What other issues pertaining to housing and housing finance are important to you?
As the Chair of the Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development, oversight of HUD has been one of my major priorities. I think it’s important that public housing programs ‘treat the whole person’ and have their success measured by families helped versus dollars spent. Our current system of housing finance is unsustainable, so it’s important that we move in a direction that protects access to affordable housing, but also takes taxpayers off the hook for losses in the market.
3) Recently you and a number of colleagues launched the Senate Opportunity Coalition. Can you explain who is on the coalition and your goals?
I wanted to get a group together of energetic Republican colleagues who wanted to work together to tackle poverty nationwide. We are fortunate to have the following members on the team: Senators Marco Rubio (Florida), Joni Ernst (Iowa), James Lankford (Oklahoma), Dan Sullivan (Alaska), Cory Gardner (Colorado), Steve Daines (Montana), Dean Heller (Nevada), and Todd Young (Indiana).
There are 50 million folks living in distressed zip codes. These are mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters who are struggling financially, and are worried about paying day-to-day bills. It is not for lack of effort, but it is lack of opportunity that has kept them from climbing their way out of poverty. We want to help these families, and the Senate Opportunity Coalition believes conservative solutions will energize our economy, create jobs, and help folks earn financial independence.
4) Earlier in life, you built one of the most successful Allstate agencies in South Carolina. What aspects of your business career do you continue to draw upon in your role as a U.S. Senator?
There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t thank God for the opportunity of having owned my own business. A mentor once told me that having a job is good, but creating jobs is even better. During my time as a small business owner, I appreciated the chance to help folks gain financial stability with a steady job. That same passion is what keeps me going in the Senate, and what truly drives every aspect of my agenda. If folks are able to access opportunity within their communities, we will all be better as a nation.
5) Apologies in advance for putting you on the spot, but according to your bio you served in the Charleston County Council for 13 years. Where do we go for the quintessential Charleston dining experience?
It would be difficult to pick just one option. Too many great choices.
Popular Articles
Consumer FAQ: Benefits of Adding Rent and Utility Data to a Credit File
Advantage of Adding Rent and Utility Data whitepaper
Credit with a Conscience fact sheet
Driving Financial Inclusion with Data and Analytics fact sheet