Senate Republicans to elect new leader as Trump looms over contest
CBSN
Washington — Senate Republicans are meeting Wednesday to elect a new leader to represent the conference after Minority Leader Mitch McConnell — the longest serving leader in the Senate history — opted to step down from the post.
Meeting behind closed doors on Wednesday morning, the Republican senators are casting secret ballots to elect their new leadership, as three candidates vie for Senate Republican leader, with President-elect Donald Trump's shadow looming over the race.
Whip John Thune of South Dakota, former Whip John Cornyn of Texas and Sen. Rick Scott of Florida are gunning for the top role, having worked behind the scenes for months to win support from their colleagues. But the leadership race took on new meaning following the 2024 elections, which saw Republicans take control of the Senate for the 119th Congress. With Trump's return to the White House next year, and the possibility that Republicans retain control of the House, the GOP may have a unified government in Washington, teeing up a long list of legislative priorities for the new Senate leader to work on with Trump.
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