Sen. Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) is the Gerald Solomon – Big “I” Legislator of the Year for 2018. 

Before his entrée into public service, Sen. Scott worked as an insurance agent and was owner of the Tim Scott Allstate Insurance Agency. During that time, he got to know many Big “I” members and came to understand what agents do every day to serve their communities. He brings that same civic mentality to the U.S. Senate.

During the issues briefing during the 2019 Big “I” Legislative Conference, Bob Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO, explained that Sen. Scott was a worthy recipient of the prestigious award based on his leadership on two major issues in 2018: tax reform and flood insurance.

“As tax reform began to make its way through Congress, Sen. Scott was one of the core four senators tasked with outlining the legislation and seeking input from his colleagues,” Rusbuldt told attendees. “His work was critical to shaping the legislation as it relates to the individual tax code, pass-through entities and small businesses.”

And as hurricane season and the NFIP expiration date loom heavy at the end of May, Sen. Scott “has been a tireless advocate for reauthorization of the program, while making common-sense reforms to keep it sustainable,” Rusbuldt added. “Coming from a coastal state, Sen. Scott understands the important role that agents play when disaster strikes.”

Sen. Scott serves on the Senate Finance Committee, Senate Committee on Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs, Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

The Big “I” presents the Legislator of the Year Award annually to a member of Congress who provides outstanding leadership on insurance issues. The name of the award honors the late Rep. Gerald Solomon (R-New York), former U.S. House of Representatives Rules Committee Chairman and Big “I” member who championed independent agent and broker legislative concerns during his 20 years in Congress.

Katie Butler is IA editor in chief.

Top left, left to right: Bob Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO and Sen. Tim Scott (R-South Carolina). 

Bottom right, left to right: Charles Symington, Big “I” senior vice president of external, industry and government affairs, Bob Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO, and Sen. Tim Scott (R-South Carolina).