Barrasso elected to No. 2 GOP post in new Congress

Republican senators on Tuesday elected Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso to serve as minority whip in the incoming 120th Congress. The vote places Barrasso in the No. 2 party leadership position for next year. This shift occurs after Democrats won control of both the House and the Senate in the recent midterm elections.

The role differs from the one Barrasso held for the past two years as majority whip. In a letter to colleagues sent Monday and obtained by Politico, Barrasso outlined the party's new strategy. He stated that the opposition party must be clear about what it stands for and what it will fight against. He called for a sharp, principled contrast with the left-wing majority in messaging, legislation, votes, and conversations with constituents.

Barrasso emphasized that the effectiveness of Senate Republicans will depend on their ability to unite. He wrote that while the party will not agree on everything, it remains united in its purpose. He noted that a united conference carries greater weight and has the strength to shape legislation and stop bad ideas.

The leadership election was not without debate. Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson argued that holding elections immediately after a stunning defeat amounted to political malpractice. Johnson wrote that the party needed a robust discussion and evaluation of how candidates intended to lead. He said the defeat demanded serious reflection and change to acknowledge where and why the party failed.

Johnson did not participate in Tuesday's leadership election. In a post on X, he explained that a rush election ignored the message voters sent. He stated that the party must develop strategies to succeed going forward.

Barrasso did not directly address the call for a delay in his letter or his Tuesday remarks to the press. However, he said the GOP will waste no time. Barrasso said the party is going to make every second count. He pointed to judicial appointments as a priority, noting they are lifetime appointments. He stated that the party will do everything it can to get every single one confirmed and will leave no vacancy behind.

The 120th Congress is set to convene with Republicans in the minority. Barrasso will work alongside South Dakota Sen. John Thune, who was reelected to lead the party. The new leadership team begins its work as Democrats prepare to take the gavel.