Sen. John Thune was privately backed by President-elect Donald Trump, Steve Daines told his colleagues, despite Trump's choice not to publicly endorse.

Sen. John Thune​ of South Dakota won on the second round of voting against Sen. John Cornyn​ of Texas in the race for Senate Republican leader.

Senate Republicans returned to Washington for the first time since they secured the Senate majority to determine who will be the new party leader in the chamber.