Republicans Announce Senate Majority Leadership

WASHINGTON (KMOX/AP) - Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky won election by fellow Republicans on Thursday to become Senate majority leader when the new Congress convenes in January, fulfilling a long-held ambition.

A Senate Republican official said McConnell, 72 was chosen by acclamation at a closed-door meeting of the rank and file.

As majority leader, McConnell will set the Senate’s agenda. Along with House Speaker John Boehner, he will decide what legislation is sent to the White House in the final two years of President Barack Obama’s term.

Senate Republicans had only one contested leadership race, and selected Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi to chair the party’s campaign committee for the 2016 elections. He defeated Sen. Dean Heller of Nevada.

On a local note, Missouri Senator Roy Blunt was re-elected as vice chair of the Senate Republican Conference.

“I’m honored to be re-elected as the Vice Chairman of the Republican Conference for the 114th Congress. It’s been a privilege to serve in this position for the last two years, and I will continue to bring Missourians’ concerns to the leadership table in the new Republican majority. I believe we have the tools necessary to ensure the Senate will function again in a more transparent and accountable way for the American people. I urge President Obama and congressional Democrats to work with us to address the real challenges facing the nation, including putting people back to work, boosting American energy, fixing our broken health care system, and strengthening our national security,” Blunt said in a written statement.

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