Sixty years after Black Americans gained the right to vote in the United States through the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Sen. Tim Scott on Friday makes history, becoming the longest-serving African American in the 235-year history of the United States Senate.

With the start of the 119th Congress on Friday, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott will become the longest-serving Black Senator in the United States. Scott will also serve as the first Black Chairman of a Senate standing committee,

South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott became the longest tenured Black senator in American history passing Sen. Edward Brooke.

Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) has become the longest-serving Black senator in U.S. history, as the 119th Congress begins Friday. Scott was appointed to the Senate in 2012 by then-Gov. Nikki Haley (R)