With Republicans set to take control of the House, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced on the House floor Thursday that she will not seek a caucus leadership role in the next Congress. Her likely successor as Democratic Leader is Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), but the caucus hasn’t voted yet.
Current House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is heavily favored to become House Speaker. But with a narrow majority, he cannot afford to lose many votes when the House will officially elect Speaker Jan. 3.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) will keep his position. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) won his conference’s vote to continue in that role, easily beating back a challenge from Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.).
File photo of Rep. Jeffries by Army Corps of Engineers’ Edward Loomis