Senate GOP Seeks Delay of Thune Leadership Vote After Midterms
A group of Senate Republicans is asking to postpone Tuesday's leadership elections. The group wants a party debate first on why the GOP lost the Senate.
5 senators signed Johnson's letter: Johnson, Lee, Scott, Kennedy and Budd.
5 signatures is the number conference rules require to call a meeting.
Sens. Dave McCormick and Jim Banks back a delay but did not sign.
54 seats now belong to Senate Democrats, with Mississippi and Alaska undecided.
Why it matters: Thune faces no declared challenger and is expected to keep the top post. The fight is over timing and over how Republicans regroup in the minority.
McCormick said Tuesday is "too soon" but wants leaders in place quickly.
Lee noted GOP rules set elections between Jan. 3 and Jan. 10.
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Political Bias
Coverage by lean% of 17 sources
17 sources · 29 articles · 59% Right coverage
Where they split: Coverage divides over whether the delay push is a needed reckoning or a repeat of past efforts by the same senators to unsettle leadership.
Center coverage, 5 sources: The center sees growing but limited pressure for a postmortem, with Thune still expected to keep his post.
Left coverage, 2 sources: The left sees a minority party trying to project unity, with the delay push treated as a side note to a settled leadership slate.
