Thune replaces McConnell
https://rollcall.com/2024/11/13/thune-elected-to-replace-mcconnell-as-next-senate-gop-leader/
Excerpt—
Sen. John Thune on Wednesday was elected the next Senate majority leader, as Republicans are set to take over the chamber in January — and with a demanding President-elect Donald Trump poised to return to power.
Having defeated Texas Sen. John Cornyn and Florida Sen. Rick Scott, the fourth-term South Dakotan will replace Mitch McConnell of Kentucky in January as the chamber’s top Republican. McConnell had held the top GOP spot since taking his party’s leadership reins in early 2007, making him minority leader in six Congresses and majority leader in three Congresses.
Thune defeated Cornyn 29-24 on the day’s second ballot, with Scott eliminated from contention after the first ballot, according to a source inside the Capitol’s Old Senate Chamber, where Republicans chose their next leader.
Senate Republicans also selected Sens. James Lankford, R-Okla., as Republican Conference vice chair; Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., as Republican Policy Committee chair; John Barrasso, R-Wyo., as assistant majority leader; Tim Scott, R-S.C., as National Republican Senatorial Committee chair; and Tom Cotton, R-Ark., as Republican Conference chair.
At a press conference after the secret ballot votes Wednesday, Thune, flanked by the other members of the incoming leadership team, said Republicans would look to roll back parts of the Biden administration’s agenda while also addressing immigration and energy policies.
“We have a mandate from the American people, a mandate not only to clean up the mess left by the Biden-Harris-Schumer agenda, but also to deliver on President Trump’s priorities,” Thune said.
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I expect Gaetz to have an exceptionally hard time getting approved, and that’sa pity. He’s a rare member of Congress who doesn’t take AIPAC money.