Congress reconvenes this week after a midterm election that delivered a stinging rebuke to Republicans and handed Democrats fresh momentum. The GOP now confronts an immediate challenge: selecting a new leadership team to guide the party through its return to the minority in the House.
House Republicans are slated to vote on their leaders on Nov. 10. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) announced on a staff call last week that he will not seek the minority leader post, opening the door to a competitive race between House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). Both are seasoned conservatives with strong followings, but their paths to the top job are far from certain.
In addition to the leadership contest, the conference is dealing with internal recriminations over the election results. Some members are calling for a complete overhaul of the party's leadership structure, arguing that those who steered the campaign should not be entrusted with rebuilding. "There has to be accountability for results," one GOP lawmaker told The Hill on condition of anonymity. "The team that led us to the disaster probably isn't the team that should lead us from the disaster."
Jordan, a co-founder of the House Freedom Caucus, has drawn support from the party's right flank. "We're going into a wartime situation where we are going to be the rebel alliance," the lawmaker said. "We need someone who knows how to fight, and Jim Jordan knows how to do that." House Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris (R-Md.) endorsed Jordan on Newsmax, calling him "the type of communicator we need" to counter the expected Democratic majority.
Scalise, who previously won the party's nomination for Speaker in 2023 but withdrew after failing to secure enough support, is viewed by others as the more experienced and pragmatic option. "Steve is the right guy for the job," a second anonymous GOP lawmaker said. "He's a tried and tested leader, with the experience to lead House Republicans for the next two years and the chops to reclaim the majority in 2028."
The leadership race extends beyond the top slot. Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) is being challenged by Republican Study Committee Chair August Pfluger (R-Texas), while Conference Chair Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) faces challengers Reps. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) and Erin Houchin (R-Ind.). The outcome will shape the party's strategy in the minority, as it seeks to counter the Democratic agenda and rebuild its brand.
Meanwhile, the lame-duck session is packed with pressing legislative business. Lawmakers face a Dec. 11 deadline to fund the government, requiring either passage of all 12 appropriations bills or another stopgap measure to avert a shutdown. The compressed timeline adds urgency to an already crowded agenda, with the GOP's lame-duck ambitions now largely faded after the electoral setback.
Adding to the tension, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) will reintroduce articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth this week, citing his handling of the war in Iran. Massie has argued that Hegseth violated his oath of office and abused his authority. Democrats are expected to back the measure, though House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has not yet endorsed it. President Trump has said he intends to keep Hegseth in his cabinet, but the defense chief's future remains uncertain amid reports of internal debate.
The Senate, meanwhile, is set to hold a procedural vote Monday on a bipartisan permitting reform package aimed at accelerating infrastructure and energy projects. The bill, which would streamline approvals and reduce litigation hurdles, is expected to advance, though its fate in the House remains unclear.
As the week unfolds, all eyes are on the House GOP's leadership elections, which will determine whether the party moves toward a more combative or conciliatory posture in the minority. The outcome will also signal how the party plans to handle the looming government funding fight and its broader strategy heading into the next Congress.
