Republicans in the House and Senate are gearing up to select their leadership team for the upcoming congressional session, a pivotal step as they prepare to govern with the incoming Trump administration.
This momentum follows the GOP’s anticipated full control over the federal government: former President Trump’s return to the White House, the Senate’s shift to Republican control, and the party’s likely majority in the House. Such a position would place Republicans in command of Washington’s legislative direction for the next two years.
In the House, Republicans are close to clinching a majority, with only two seats short as of Sunday evening. According to Decision Desk HQ, the GOP had secured 216 seats, with Democrats at 209, leaving 10 races still undecided.
Speaker Mike Johnson addresses the House GOP as they prepare for the next congressional session
The Senate GOP will meet Wednesday to choose among Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) for their new leader. After nearly two decades, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is stepping down from his leadership role, opening the door for new leadership within the Senate’s Republican ranks.
On the House side, GOP members will also gather Wednesday to elect a Speaker candidate, even though their majority is not officially confirmed. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is the anticipated choice for the nomination, though his support on the House floor in January remains uncertain.
As Senate Republicans prepare to select McConnell’s successor, a secret ballot on Wednesday will mark the first time a new Senate GOP leader has been chosen since McConnell took the role in 2007.
Thune, Cornyn, and Scott are each seeking the position of majority leader, a title solidified after last week’s Senate victory. The competition has been underway for months, with each candidate rallying internal support, and last week’s election results have intensified the race. Many are watching closely for any influence from Trump regarding the leadership decision.
Trump hinted at possibly entering the fray, suggesting over the weekend on social media that the GOP’s next Senate leader should prioritize weekend appointments, a proposal that each of the contenders has supported.
Uncertainty remains as to whether Trump will officially endorse a candidate. Thune has advocated for Trump to avoid involvement in the leadership selection, while Scott’s supporters are publicly inviting Trump’s endorsement for the Florida senator. The divided viewpoints reflect each candidate’s history with Trump.
Thune, who opposed objecting to the 2020 election certification, has previously faced Trump’s threats of political opposition. However, he has since mended ties, meeting Trump at Mar-a-Lago earlier this year.
Cornyn, who faced criticism from Trump after co-sponsoring the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, is viewed by allies as having a closer connection to Trump than Thune. Cornyn’s involvement with Trump on the campaign trail and at fundraisers underscores this relationship.
Scott, by contrast, maintains a close alliance with Trump. A Florida senator, Scott has visited Trump in Mar-a-Lago during challenging times and was the first to attend Trump’s trial earlier this year, solidifying his perceived rapport with the former president.
Senators John Thune, John Cornyn, and Rick Scott stand together, each vying for GOP leadership
Meanwhile, House Republicans will hold a closed-door meeting on Wednesday to nominate a Speaker candidate, signaling the start of a potentially complex process to determine the leader of the 119th Congress.
Currently, Johnson stands as the only candidate for the role, having ascended last year after Kevin McCarthy’s (R-Calif.) ouster. In a letter to colleagues, Johnson stated he’s ready to lead the conference as Speaker, asking for their backing.
Winning the internal nomination requires a simple majority in Wednesday’s secret ballot, although any dissent could complicate his path to victory on the House floor in January.
Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) hinted at potential challenges Johnson may face, acknowledging some Republicans are skeptical about his leadership. He emphasized that Johnson must unify the party and deliver on the GOP’s promises, adding that he will personally discuss these concerns with Johnson and other conference members.
No formal opposition to Johnson’s Speakership bid has been announced, though several Republicans remain undecided.
Other leadership roles in the House will also be filled soon, with Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) seeking reelection as majority leader, Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) for majority whip, and Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) for another term as chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee.
Separately, a joint hearing on unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) is set for Wednesday, hosted by two House Oversight and Accountability subcommittees. This session, titled “Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena: Exposing the Truth,” will delve into secret UAP research programs and the Pentagon’s reluctance to declassify information.
Witnesses include former Pentagon official Luis Elizondo, retired Rear Admiral Timothy Gallaudet, Redwire Corp. executive Michael Gold, and Public news outlet founder Michael Shellenberger. Elizondo has previously claimed the Department of Defense has retrieved nonhuman specimens from spacecraft crashes.
In a joint statement, Reps. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) and Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) emphasized the need for public transparency on UAP issues, underscoring that Americans deserve insight into government findings on UAP sightings and any related potential threats.
