Congressional Republicans this week held elections to leadership positions for the next Congress. Senate Republicans chose South Dakota Sen. John Thune, currently the Senate Minority Whip, to be the Senate Majority Leader when the party takes over control of the chamber in January. Meanwhile, House Republicans nominated Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) to serve another term in the post.
It is now clear that Republicans will control both the House and Senate in the 119th Congress. That means Speaker Mike Johnson, nominated this week by the chamber’s Republicans, must clear a vote from the full chamber’s membership to fill the Speaker of the House position on the opening day of the new Congress on January 3, 2025. Johnson won the Speakership nomination on a unanimous voice vote with no members vocalizing opposition. No other members chose to run for the nomination to the post.
Behind Johnson, Republicans elected Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) as majority leader, Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) as majority whip, and Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) as chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC).
House Republicans also elected Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI) to be House conference chair by a vote of 146-67, filling a position soon to be vacated by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) when she leaves to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. They also chose Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK) to be Republican Policy Committee chair.
On the Senate side, Republicans elected John Thune (R-SD) as Republican leader, beating Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Rick Scott (R-FL) to succeed Mitch McConnell (R-KY) in the position.
