House Republicans elect Jim Jordan as minority leader for next Congress

House Republicans on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026, elected Ohio Representative Jim Jordan as minority leader for the next Congress following a bruising electoral defeat.

House Republicans Elevate Jim Jordan as Minority Leader

House Republicans chose Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio to serve as minority leader for the 120th Congress in a secret ballot held on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026, on Capitol Hill in Washington, according to multiple sources. Jordan defeated outgoing House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, capturing 106 votes to Scalise's 73 votes. Jordan has built a reputation as a combative conservative, a hardline ally of President Donald Trump, a founding member of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, and the chair of the House Judiciary Committee. Former Speaker John Boehner once criticized Jordan as a "legislative terrorist" over his uncompromising tactics, and Jordan previously defended Trump during congressional investigations into attempts to overturn the 2020 election defeat. The contest marked a rematch of their 2023 speakership battle following the ouster of Kevin McCarthy.

Speaker Mike Johnson announced he would not stand for election as minority leader, leaving the conference to pick up the pieces after losing control of both chambers in last week's midterm elections. Going into the 120th Congress, House Democrats hold a 254-166 margin over Republicans with 15 races remaining undecided. Scalise, who served at the Republican leadership table for more than a decade and as the party's No. 2 leader since 2023, was previously critically injured during a 2017 congressional baseball practice shooting and underwent treatment for multiple myeloma. Alongside Jordan, House Republicans elected Representative Tom Emmer of Minnesota as GOP minority whip, defeating a challenge from Texas Representative August Pfluger. Representative Lisa McClain of Michigan was elected GOP conference chair—securing the No. 3 position—after beating challenges from Representative Erin Houchin of Indiana and Representative Greg Steube of Florida.

Senate Republicans Re-elect John Thune Amid Internal Debate

Across the Capitol on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026, Senate Republicans re-elected South Dakota Senator John Thune to lead them in the upper chamber's minority. Senators gathered for scheduled leadership elections but initially engaged in a frank, open discussion about how the party should respond to midterm results that left Republicans down at least seven Senate seats with two races yet to be decided. Despite conservative calls to delay elections and demands for a reckoning over the losses, no alternative challenger emerged. Thune was approved by acclamation, and the conference re-elected Senator John Barrasso as whip and Senator Tom Cotton as conference chair. Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio was elected chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, replacing South Carolina Senator Tim Scott.

U.S. Army Officer Arrested in Britain on Espionage Suspicions

Meanwhile, in Britain, a 41-year-old U.S. Army officer assigned to a NATO unit was arrested on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026, near Gloucester on suspicion of spying for Russia. Counterterror police, the FBI, and U.S. Military officials stated the suspect was arrested near Gloucester and is accused of violating two sections of the National Security Act 2023 by assisting a foreign intelligence service and obtaining or disclosing protected information. The officer served in NATO's Allied Rapid Reaction Corps at Imjin Barracks. FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized the gravity of the arrest, noting that the bureau holds zero tolerance for anyone who violates their oath to the United States.

Congressional leadership transitions and ongoing investigations into security breaches set the stage for upcoming legislative battles as lawmakers prepare for the incoming Democratic majority in January 2027.