White House / President·Congress
Senate Republicans re-elect John Thune as leader despite push by Ron Johnson and six others to delay the vote

Senate Republicans chose John Thune of South Dakota for a second two-year term as their leader on Tuesday after an hours-long closed-door meeting, their first since losing at least seven seats in last week's midterms, the New York Post reported. Sen. Ron Johnson and six other senators had wanted the vote delayed until the results were fully analyzed, and Sen. Rick Scott said his vote depended on Thune's plan for the lame-duck session, the last weeks Republicans hold the majority to advance President Trump's priorities. Thune will lead a minority of no more than 46 senators when the new Congress convenes Jan. 3, the Post reported.
- New York PostSenate Republicans re-elect John Thune as leader after midterm shellacking