Democrats have secured their Senate majority. Republicans narrowly won control of the House. And while the Senate race in Georgia won't be decided for a few more weeks, the 2022 midterm elections are, for the most part, over.
Now Washington is turning its attention to a different set of elections that will decide who will lead the two parties in Congress for at least the next two years.
Republican challengers: On Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) secured another term in his post as the Senate's top Republican, overcoming a last-minute challenge from Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), who led the GOP's Senate campaign operation through a disappointing cycle that saw the party blow an opportunity to flip control of the upper chamber.
A more dramatic situation is unfolding on the House side. Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) won his conference's nomination to be the next House speaker this week, beating out a protest challenge from Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) backed by members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus.
McCarthy is widely expected to clinch the top job when the full chamber votes on Jan. 3. But he can only spare a handful of Republican defections in that vote, meaning he'll have some work to do if he hopes to bring his conference into line.
End of an era: Meanwhile, a shockwave tore through Democratic politics on Thursday when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced that she would step down from her leadership post next year to clear the way for a new generation of lawmakers.
Pelosi's announcement marks the end of two decades of her stewardship over the House Democratic Caucus and the end of an era for the most powerful woman in U.S. political history. She'll stay in Congress indefinitely as a back-bencher, though she is expected to play a key mentorship role for her eventual successor.
Favored to succeed Pelosi in the top House Democratic role is Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), who's worked for months to build up support for the job.
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