Cornyn Elected Senate GOP Whip; Moran to Head NRSC
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, joins Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., right, as they talk to reporters following the Republicans' weekly strategy session, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, was elected Senate minority whip by acclamation and Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, became National Republican Senatorial Committee chairman as both parties returned their Senate leadership team, aides tracking caucus meetings Wednesday morning said.
Cornyn, the outgoing NRSC Chairman, replaces retiring Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., in the number two Republican spot.
Sen. Mitch McConnnell, R-Ky., was reelected Republican leader by affirmation, the fourth time he has won the job without opposition. McConnell was nominated in speeches by Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., and Marco Rubio, R-Fla. The GOP elected Cornyn and returned their leadership despite suffering a disappointing loss of two seats last week, and for the second time failing to deliver on hopes to win back the Senate Majority.
Democrats are returning their leadership team intact. Democrats need to find a new Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee chair in the coming weeks. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has approached Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., about the job and Bennet is considering it, senior Democratic staffers said. Democratic leaders are also feeling out other members. Aides cited Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., talked of as a possibility, is not interested, the aides said.
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