Congress Readies 4 Leadership Votes as Democrats Face Dissent Over Schumer

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Nov 6

Four House and Senate party leadership elections are due in coming days as Congress returns, with the sharpest friction around Democrats despite no clear alternative to their expected leaders.
Chuck Schumer still appears favored for Senate majority leader even after several incoming Democratic senators withheld support; if Democrats caucus with 56 seats, he would need only 29 votes in the party conference.
Hakeem Jeffries also looks secure for speaker if Democrats hold about 260 House seats, needing 131 caucus votes for nomination and 218 on the House floor, leaving room for defections.
Republicans face more defined internal contests: Steve Scalise is running against Jim Jordan for House minority leader, while Tom Emmer faces August Pfluger for minority whip; Senate Republicans could reelect John Thune with 23 votes if reduced to 44 seats.
The leadership picks will shape both parties after Democrats flipped the Senate and potentially reclaimed the House, but the immediate test remains whether dissenters can turn grumbling into an actual challenger.