MSNBC “Morning Joe” host Joe Scarborough, a former Republican congressman from Florida, is joining NBC News as a senior political analyst and regular contributor to “Meet the Press,” the network announced Friday.

NBC called Scarborough’s expanded role “one of the many changes for the next generation of ‘Meet the Press.’ ”

{mosads}Last month, Chuck Todd was named the new moderator of the long-running political talk show, replacing veteran journalist David Gregory. President Obama will be Todd’s first interview when he officially takes over the hosting duties on Sunday.

Scarborough, 51, will continue hosting “Morning Joe” in addition to his “Meet the Press” duties. The former lawmaker served four terms in Congress before resigning in 2001, citing a desire to spend more time with his family.

Todd praised his colleague, saying of Scarborough in a statement, “His love of politics and passion for debate will guarantee the kind of robust conversation that has always been a hallmark of ‘Meet the Press,’ and I look forward to the reported analysis he’ll bring to the table.”