Senate Republicans reelected South Dakota Sen. John Thune to lead the GOP conference next year after two hourslong, closed-door meetings focused on sweeping midterm losses and calls to delay the vote. Thune ran unopposed and won by acclamation, revising earlier reporting that described the contest as an unopposed secret-ballot vote. Republicans held a 53-47 majority heading into the midterms but are on track to lose as many as nine seats after defeats in the Midwest and South. Sen. Ron Johnson and other conservatives had sought additional time for the party to assess the results, while Josh Hawley questioned whether retaining the same leaders sent the right message. The conference also discussed keeping the Senate in session for war spending and other priorities before Republicans lose power. The lame-duck agenda includes funding the government by the Dec. 11 deadline, confirming 23 judicial nominees and more than 100 executive-branch nominees, advancing a defense funding package through budget reconciliation, considering the SAVE America Act and potentially canceling the Thanksgiving recess. Two Senate races in Alaska and Mississippi remained uncalled. Thune, who replaced Mitch McConnell as leader in early 2025, has maintained close relationships with Republican senators and backed President Donald Trump on most policies while opposing changes to Senate rules that would eliminate the filibuster for voting legislation. Trump recently called Thune a very fine man, while Thune said Republicans would work with Democrats but reject socialist government and leftist fantasies.