For the first time in 18 years, Republicans in the Senate have a new leader.
Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., will replace outgoing Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., as the conference’s front man.
The new leader will have the hard task of passing President-elect Donald Trump‘s agenda through the upper chamber of Congress. Though Republicans have the majority, they are not close to the 60-vote threshold needed to overcome a filibuster to move a lot of legislation through the chamber. Nevertheless, procedural mechanisms like budget reconciliation and the confirmation of Trump‘s appointments are exempt from the 60-vote threshold.
Meanwhile, Thune will attempt to differentiate his leadership style from that of McConnell’s, as McConnell regularly has been rebuffed by a majority of the conference in the last two years. Just how much Thune reforms how the Senate goes about its business will become clear in January.