Senate GOP caucus debates whether to wait before picking new leadership

Senate Republicans gathered for a second session on Tuesday to decide if they will vote for their new leadership immediately or wait.

South Dakota Senator John Thune is seeking to keep his role as party leader one week after the midterm elections cost the party its majority.

The group met in a closed room for two hours in the morning but left without a decision.

They reconvened in the afternoon to address the question of whether a pause of one to four weeks would help them organize.

West Virginia Senator Jim Justice told reporters that the group wants to act thoughtfully.

He noted that no clear alternative to Thune has emerged, but he argued that losing so badly justifies questioning the current leadership.

Justice added that the current leaders did not cause the election results and that they do a good job.

Missouri Senator Josh Hawley said he is not aware of anyone else running for leader, but he believes waiting might change that.

Hawley told reporters that rushing to ratify the same leadership sends the wrong message after losing at least seven seats.

He said that if the party does not change course after such a loss, he does not know what planet they are on.

Thune, who took over from Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell in early 2025, said before the meeting that the group would have a full conversation.

Thune has not yet made his case for the leadership, according to senators who emerged from the morning session, and has been listening to colleagues instead. Hawley described the discussion as frank and honest. Some senators discussed their own electoral results. The group also pushed Thune to stay in session around the clock in the coming weeks to pass war spending and other priorities. Florida Senator Rick Scott said the party needs a plan to finish its agenda. Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson circulated a letter asking for a delay. He said the conference needs to do real soul-searching but conceded that no one else is on the ballot. He joked to a reporter that no one wants the job. Oklahoma Senator Jim Lankford said there is widespread support for Thune, who has maintained close relationships with the rank and file. Lankford supported voting on Tuesday because many new senators are already in town for orientation. He called the role complicated and said no one wants it. South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds said most senators are ready to move forward and have leadership in place. Thune has spent the last two years managing relations with President Donald Trump, who has often clashed with the Senate. Thune has backed Trump on most policy but refused to scrap the filibuster to pass voting legislation requiring proof of citizenship. Trump hosted Thune and his family at the White House in October and called him a very fine man on Monday. Trump said the election is up to the Senate. Thune is expected to emphasize his collaborative approach and the work done in the last year, including tax and spending cuts. In a floor speech on Monday, Thune called the election a tough night and said Republicans will work with Democrats but that the American people are not looking for socialist government. Across the aisle, Democrats who could hold as many as 56 seats are also discussing leadership. New York Senator Chuck Schumer faces potential challengers. Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen and Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin have both considered challenging him, but neither has announced a run. New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, head of the Democratic Senate campaign arm, predicted Schumer will win enough support. She said he won the Senate back and understands politics well. The Associated Press reporter Seung Min Kim contributed to this report.