Senate Democrats hold leadership elections as GOP prepares to take control
Washington — Senate Democrats will meet Tuesday morning to elect leadership for the next two years. Republicans flip House in the 2024 elections.
Senate Democrats face a particularly difficult map this cycle, although the party has fended off some challenges and retained key Senate seats, while Republicans flipped four seats to regain the majority. After four years of holding a slim majority in the House, the party will be in the minority next year with 47 seats to Republicans’ 53.
But the election results are not expected to trigger a shake-up of Democratic leadership, with top jobs expected to remain unchanged. Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has held the position since 2017, defeating Dick Durbin, who had been party leader. The Democrat, who has held the Senate’s No. 2 spot for nearly two decades, is expected to stay in office.
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Sen. Debbie Stabenow’s decision to retire after more than two decades in the House opened the door for No. 2. 3 Senate leadership positions. Stabenow chairs the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, a position that has been eyed by New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar.
Senate leadership race comes as Democrats struggle lame duck dash Approve their priorities before Republicans take control of Washington next year.
“We’re at the beginning of a very busy December,” Schumer said on the Senate floor on Monday. “The Senate has a lot to do, both in terms of nominations and legislation, but not a lot of time to do it.”
The New York Democrat outlined that judicial confirmations remain a top priority, in addition to must-pass legislation such as resolutions to fund the government. Senate Democrats have been working to confirm President Joe Biden’s remaining nominees, with the party hoping to match or exceed the 234 judicial confirmations from Trump’s first term. Still, Republicans are working to block and delay the process, which the minority believes only has weeks left.
