Republicans in the US House of Representatives have chosen Jim Jordan as their new caucus leader. He will lead the Republican minority in the next Congress, following the Democrats' victory in last week's midterm elections.
According to Punchbowl News, citing Reuters, the election was made through a secret ballot, behind closed doors, as part of the party's internal process.
Jordan defeated Steve Scalise, who until now held the position of Republican majority leader in the House of Representatives. He secured 106 votes, compared to 73 votes received by his rival.
The change in the leadership of the parliamentary group comes after the decision of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, to withdraw from the political leadership of the Republicans, following the poor result in the elections.
Democrats take control of Congress
Last week's midterm elections changed the political balance in Congress, as Democrats secured majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Under these conditions, the Republicans will move into opposition during the last two years of Donald Trump's presidency. Jim Jordan will have the responsibility of coordinating the parliamentary group's positions and representing the party in the political confrontation with the Democratic majority.
Who is Jim Jordan?
Jim Jordan, who heads the House Judiciary Committee, is considered one of the most conservative and well-known figures in the Republican Party.
He has been one of the main protagonists of parliamentary investigations into Democratic officials and political figures, while he is known as one of Donald Trump's most staunch supporters.
On the other hand, Steve Scalise was the second-ranking figure in the Republican caucus under Mike Johnson. Previously, he had been a close associate and one of the key allies of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
