By David Morgan
WASHINGTON, Nov 4 (Reuters) – The sweeping Democratic election victories in the US Senate and House of Representatives will reshuffle leadership of both chambers when the next Congress is sworn in on January 3.
Parties in both chambers are expected to choose their leadership teams after Congress returns to Washington, DC, next week.
With government control divided between a Democratic-led Congress and Republican President Donald Trump, Democrats are expected to concentrate on lowering the cost of living and subjecting the Trump administration to congressional oversight.
Barring unexpected changes, here are the lawmakers likely to lead Congress.
HOUSE
• US Representative Hakeem Jeffries, who is currently House Democratic leader, is expected to remain party leader for the next two years and become the first Black speaker in the 237-year history of the House on January 3. Jeffries, a 56-year-old from Brooklyn, would face a double challenge of countering Trump while bridging the division between Democratic progressives and moderates.
• Republican Speaker Mike Johnson has announced that he will not serve as House minority leader next year. That decision has led to a contest that so far includes House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, two Republicans who launched failed bids to become speaker after party hardliners ousted Kevin McCarthy from the top chamber post in 2023.
SENATE
• Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer is likely to retain his party leadership after Democrats captured at least seven Republican seats on Tuesday including in the traditional Republican strongholds of Kansas and South Carolina. But it is not clear whether Schumer, 75, will face a leadership challenge from another senator. A handful of new senators-elect have said they would not support him. Schumer predicted on Wednesday that he would be reelected as leader and that Democrats would drive legislation to bring down costs for American families and serve as a check against Trump.
• Senate Majority Leader John Thune is expected to remain as Republican minority leader despite the loss of his majority. Following the election, the 65-year-old South Dakota Republican said on social media that Republicans will work with Trump “to stop the worst impulses of Democrat extremism.” Democrats will need Republican help to reach the 60 votes needed to pass most legislation in the 100-seat chamber.
(Reporting by David Morgan; Editing by Michael Learmonth and Cynthia Osterman)
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