For the first time in 18 years, Republicans in the Senate have a new leader.
Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., will replace outgoing Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., as the conference’s frontman.
The new leader will have the hard task of passing President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda through the upper chamber of Congress. Though Republicans have the majority, they are not close to the 60-vote threshold needed to overcome a filibuster to move a lot of legislation through the chamber. Nevertheless, procedural mechanisms like budget reconciliation and the confirmation of Trump’s appointments are exempt from the 60-vote threshold.
Meanwhile, Thune will attempt to differentiate his leadership style from that of McConnell’s, as McConnell regularly has been rebuffed by a majority of the conference in the last two years. Just how much Thune reforms how the Senate goes about its business will become clear in January.
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., one of the three contenders for the leadership post, reacted in a statement:
I may have lost the vote, but I am optimistic. I ran for leader with one mission: to fundamentally change how the Senate operates and upend the status quo so we can actually start representing the voters who put us here. When I announced, I said that we are in a moment where we need dramatic change. The voters confirmed that last week when they elected President Trump and Republicans took the majority in both chambers of Congress with a clear mandate.
I want to thank my friend, President Trump, and the support I received from so many Americans from every corner of our country. I am truly humbled by the millions of Americans who supported my run and the many patriots who made their voices heard to demand change. While it isn’t the result we hoped for, I will do everything possible to make sure John Thune is successful in accomplishing President Trump’s agenda. I would also like to thank John Cornyn for running a great race.
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, shared his reaction to the vote with The Daily Signal, saying, “The reform agenda advanced by Rick Scott gathered the support of millions of Americans who just voted to bring Donald Trump back to the White House and changed the conversation on Capitol Hill.”
He continued:
The field of play for this race was influenced by Americans all across the country who want to see a better Washington and reform the way they’re represented in the U.S. Senate.
I am glad that Sen. Thune committed to improve the way our conference works. I congratulate Sen. Thune on his victory today and look forward to achieving more victories for the American people under his leadership.
“Rick Scott fundamentally changed the race and brought to light a lot of issues and energy for reforming the Senate,” added Rachel Bovard, vice president of the Conservative Partnership Institute and a former executive director of the Senate Steering Committee, the caucus of conservative senators. “John Thune now has a mandate and must be responsive to fixing the institution.”
In the run-up to the leadership election, some senators suggested adding a term limit to the leader position. A term limit, they said, would hold leadership accountable for making reforms to Senate business.
The Daily Signal spoke to Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., shortly after Republicans elected Thune as leader.
“I mean, the last couple days, I don’t think that’s even been mentioned,” Johnson said of the proposed reform. “The term limit should be the senators voting.”
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.