House GOP Picks Jordan as Leader; Schumer Expects Reelection in Senate
WHO:
Fox News - Steve Scalise did not commit to serving a full term in the 120th Congress after losing the House Republican minority leader race.
NBC News Politics - House Republicans selected Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio as their House minority leader.
NBC News Politics - Senate Republicans re-elected Sen. John Thune of South Dakota as their Senate minority leader.
NBC News Politics - Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he was confident Senate Democrats would re-elect him as majority leader.
Roll Call - Jordan defeated outgoing House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., in the leadership contest.
Roll Call - Other House Republicans elected Tom Emmer of Minnesota as minority whip, Lisa McClain of Michigan as conference chair, and Brian Jack of Georgia to lead the National Republican Congressional Committee.
Roll Call - The candidates for conference chair were McClain, Rep. Erin Houchin of Indiana, and Rep. Greg Steube of Florida. Rep. Rudy Yakym of Indiana challenged Jack for the campaign-arm post; Rep. August Pfluger of Texas challenged Emmer for whip.
Roll Call - Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said he would not seek a leadership post in the new Congress. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York was expected to become speaker.
Roll Call - Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., called the choice “tough” and described Jordan as an “exceptionally capable chairman” of the Oversight and Judiciary committees.
WHAT:
Roll Call - Rep. Jim Jordan said, “He’s got boundless energy and determination,” Rep. Tom Cole said of Jordan.
Fox News - Jordan said, “For the Democrats, it’s all about politics and going after their political opponents.”
Fox News - Jordan called Democratic investigations “crazy lawfare stuff” and said Republicans would respond by “pushing back and giving the facts and the truth to the American people.”
Fox News - Jim Jordan said Republicans should “use the majority while we have a chance” before Democrats take control of Congress.
Fox News - Jordan predicted, “There'll be a third impeachment,” and said Democrats would investigate Cabinet members, including Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and people in the private sector.
Fox News - Jordan named Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as possible targets of Democratic investigations ahead of the 2028 presidential election.
Fox News - Jordan said Republicans would work to ensure members attended key votes and advance legislation during the lame-duck session; he cited a vote on efforts to impeach Hegseth in which 11 House Democrats were absent.
Roll Call - Speaker Mike Johnson said of Jordan: “He’s going to do an excellent job. He’s a good, trusted friend and brother.”
Roll Call - Scalise said before the vote: “Obviously Jim and I know each other, but I’ve got a proven record of how to bring people together.”
Roll Call - An anonymous House Republican said both candidates “have strong points, but they both have flaws.”
Roll Call - Emmer said Republicans would expose Democrats’ “empty promises” and push back on what he called their “radical” agenda.
Roll Call - McClain said: “We had a spirited leadership election. There were important conversations about the future of our conference, and I listened.”
Roll Call - Jordan said President Trump’s impeachments “worked out to my advantage” was not reported; Trump said: “Well, I did it for four years,” referring to working with Democrats, and added: “They impeached me twice. And there are those that say that worked out to my advantage.”
NBC News Politics - Republicans chose Jordan and Thune as their respective chambers’ minority leaders; some Democrats called for a leadership shakeup.
Roll Call - Jordan won the secret-ballot election by 106-73 after an hourslong process.
Roll Call - Jordan said: “Over the next two years, House Republicans will fight for American families. Democrats offer more government. We will offer more freedom.”
Roll Call - Emmer defeated Pfluger for minority whip; McClain retained her chair position; Jack defeated Yakym to lead the NRCC.
Roll Call - Democrats were expected to hold more than 250 House seats. Jeffries predicted at least 255 once uncalled races and verification were complete.
Roll Call - Jordan’s election was described as setting up a political and legal partnership with White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller to counter House Democratic investigations involving President Trump, administration officials, and Trump’s family members.
WHERE:
Roll Call - The candidates’ forum took place in the Capitol Visitor Center auditorium; the leadership election was held behind closed doors.
Roll Call - Jeffries made his comments to reporters in Washington, D.C.
WHEN:
Roll Call - The new House leadership team is due to take over Jan. 3, 2027, when the new Congress is seated.
Roll Call - Emmer said Democrats would regret their election choices “come Jan. 3, 2027.”
Roll Call - Jack will oversee candidate selection and fundraising for the 2028 election cycle.
Roll Call - The article said Trump’s second term would end in January 2029.
WHY:
Roll Call - The Institute for Legislative Analysis said its vote study found many Republican voters felt their Washington representatives were not representing them, according to CEO Ryan McGowan.
Roll Call - Nathaniel Moran backed Pfluger for whip, citing repeated delays caused by discharge petitions and failed rule votes.
Roll Call - Republicans selected new House leadership after suffering major losses in the midterm elections.
Roll Call - Moran backed Pfluger, citing floor-management problems, including discharge petitions and failed rule votes.
Roll Call - The Institute for Legislative Analysis said its vote study led it to endorse Emmer, Jordan, Steube, and Jack; CEO Ryan McGowan said some Republican voters felt their representatives were not representing them.
HOW:
Fox News - Jordan said Republicans would try to keep members present for key votes and advance legislation during the lame-duck session; he cited 11 House Democrats’ absence from a vote related to efforts to impeach Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
Roll Call - Jordan was chosen through a closed-door, secret-ballot vote; Jordan and Scalise had made phone calls and presented their cases at a candidates’ forum.
Roll Call - Trump said in a “60 Minutes” interview that he had worked with Democrats during his first term, adding: “They impeached me twice. And there are those that say that worked out to my advantage.”
(UPDATED November 12, 2026 07:58 UTC)
House Republicans chose Jim Jordan as minority leader, defeating Steve Scalise in a secret ballot. Senate Republicans reelected John Thune, while Jordan’s House team includes whip Tom Emmer. Jordan pledged to fight Democratic investigations and advance Republican legislation during the transition.
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(UPDATED November 12, 2026 05:58 UTC)
House Republicans chose Jim Jordan as minority leader, defeating Steve Scalise in a secret ballot. Senate Republicans re-elected John Thune, while Democrats’ leadership choice remains unsettled. Jordan pledged to fight Democratic investigations and keep Republicans focused on advancing legislation.
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(UPDATED November 12, 2026 05:02 UTC)
Republicans chose Jim Jordan as House minority leader, defeating Steve Scalise in a secret ballot. Senate Republicans re-elected John Thune, while Tom Emmer and Lisa McClain won House leadership posts. Jordan said Republicans would push legislation and prepare for Democratic investigations after the party’s election losses.
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(UPDATED November 11, 2026 23:01 UTC)
House Republicans chose Jim Jordan as minority leader, defeating Steve Scalise in a secret ballot. Senate Republicans re-elected John Thune to lead their caucus. Jordan takes over when the new Congress convenes January 3, 2027.
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(UPDATED November 11, 2026 22:03 UTC)
House Republicans chose Jim Jordan as minority leader after a secret-ballot contest against Steve Scalise. Senate Republicans re-elected John Thune, while Democrats were expected to keep Chuck Schumer. Republicans also chose Tom Emmer, Lisa McClain, and Brian Jack for key House leadership roles.