A Change of Plans - 11/5/26

After losing both chambers of Congress in the midterm elections, Republicans face a leadership contest in the House. But over in the Senate, Republican leader John Thune seeks to retain his post. House Speaker Mike Johnson informed his staff that he will not seek to lead the House Republicans in the next Congress. His decision opens up a contest to see who will hold the position of House Minority Leader in January. House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio announced that he is running for the post.

And current House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana is also expected to run. This is a staggering day for our conference, Ohio Republican Jim Jordan wrote. For too long, we have operated without a clear plan to survive the hour or the day in front of us. That will not cut it against an emboldened and energetic Democratic majority. Over in the Senate, South Dakota Republican John Thune announced he would run again for the chance to lead Senate Republicans, despite shocking defeats in states like Kansas.

South Carolina and Texas. Today, we commemorate Saints Elizabeth and Zachariah as the righteous elderly parents of St. John the Baptist and relatives of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I'm Josh Mercer, editor of The Loop, taking you behind the headlines. Go to zeal.co for the rest of today's Loop, and while you're at it, subscribe to get The Loop in your inbox every morning. Again, that's zeal.co.