Post-elections both Parties choose their leadership for the Session. Republicans lhad their vote on November 10, Democrats plan their vote on November 18.
Senate Republicans: John Thune (R-SD)
Thune was re-elected unopposed and moves from majority leader to minority leader. Barrasso stays as his number two. Five senators led by Ron Johnson asked to postpone the election; the conference voted anyway and the slate went through on a voice vote.
Thune has been a Steong Supporter of Ukraine on the AmUkr Congressional Report Card. Thune cosponsored the Graham sanctions bill, which passed the Senate 86–11 on August 7. He placed the House-passed Ukraine Support Act on the Senate calendar in July. It never received a floor vote. On the sanctions bill, his position was that the Senate would follow the White House and would not schedule a vote until the administration was behind it. That came in July 2026.
House Republicans: Jim Jordan (R-OH)
Jordan defeated Steve Scalise 106–73 after Speaker Mike Johnson declined to run for the job.
The AmUkr Congressional Report Card rated Jordan Negative. He voted against the April 2024 Ukraine supplemental and against the Ukraine Support Act in June 2026. He did vote in favor of the Graham sanctions bill in September.
Democrats
House Democrats hold their leadership elections November 18 and 19, with the floor vote for Speaker in January. Jeffries is running and has no declared opponent. Senate Democrats vote in early December. Schumer is running for re-election as leader.
On the AmUkr Congressional Report Card, both were rated Strong Supporters, and both led passage of the 2024 supplemental. Jeffries dropped to Supporter when he voted against the Graham sanctions bill in September. Schumer voted for it and remains a Strong Supporter.
Bottom line
Democrats will hold the majority in both chambers. They set the agenda and decide which bills come to the floor.