GOP, Democrats Battle Over Leadership in Congress

In just under two months, Democrats will take control of Congress, but discussions about party leadership are already underway on both sides of the aisle.

House and Senate Republicans alike are reeling from a brutal defeat during last week’s midterm elections, with many calling for major leadership changes. “I think if we send up the same leadership team that led us to the slaughter, we will look like clowns,” a GOP lawmaker told The Hill. “You know, I mean, so you have to make change. Does that mean they all have to change? I’m not saying that. But you can’t have the same team.”

Democrats, on the other hand, are looking to capitalize on their huge midterm gains — but not everyone is on the same page.

GOP Leadership

After Republicans were trounced in the midterms, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) reportedly told his staff that he would not pursue the minority leader position in January when Democrats take control of the lower chamber. The Pelican State representative previously told CBS News that he intended to remain in the House’s top GOP position whether Republicans maintained control of Congress or not — but that was before Democrats swept the GOP in races across the nation, including in states that are typically considered Republican strongholds.

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House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) have both announced bids for the top spot, setting up a showdown when House Republicans vote on Nov. 10.

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) and House GOP conference Chair Lisa McClain (R-MI) are reportedly hoping to remain in their leadership positions next year, but both are facing challengers, with August Pfluger (R-TX) gunning for Emmer’s spot and Reps. Erin Houchin (R-IN) and Greg Steube (R-FL) preparing to challenge McClain.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) is also facing calls to step aside, including from President Donald Trump adviser Alex Bruesewitz, who wrote on X, “Why do Hill Republicans insist on rewarding failure? He’s not exactly in touch with the interests of Republican voters. Perhaps it’s time to give someone else a chance?”

Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) echoed Bruesewitz, urging the South Dakota senator to “sit this one out.” He continued: “For two years, House Republicans begged him to bring conservative legislation to the floor, including the SAVE Act. He refused. He chose to protect the institution rather than fight to save the country.”

Thune has said he intends to stay on as GOP leader in the minority, and no senator has yet announced a challenge. But Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) has asked Senate Republican Conference Chairman Tom Cotton (R-AR) to delay the leadership vote, calling the election results “a stunning defeat” that deserves closer examination before Thune and his team are reelected.

Democrat Battles

On the other side of the aisle, establishment Democrats are taking heat from progressives as Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) eye the top leadership positions in their respective chambers. Schumer is expected to become the Senate majority leader and Jeffries the House speaker when the left takes control of Congress in January.

Maine Senator-elect Troy Jackson is among those speaking out against Schumer: "I've already said that I told Senator Schumer that I'm going to support somebody else, so it's no different now.” Kansas’s Adam Hamilton, Michigan’s Abdul El-Sayed, James Talarico of Texas, Illinois’ Juliana Stratton, New Hampshire’s Chris Pappas, and Peggy Flanagan of Minnesota have similarly either refused to support Schumer, or declined to commit to him.

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So far, no sitting Democratic senator has publicly opposed Schumer, and the caucus is expected to choose its leaders in December. Despite the pushback from newcomers, Schumer — who said one of his top priorities is blocking Trump from putting a “right-winger” on the Supreme Court — remained confident, stating: “I’ll be reelected as majority leader.”

At the end of the day, how much will leadership in either chamber really matter? President Trump has already vowed to become “Mr. Veto” next year.