Senate Republicans ended a two-hour closed-door meeting without deciding whether to reelect John Thune as leader and were expected to reconvene Tuesday, as senators weighed whether their election losses called for a change despite Thune having no challenger.

Ron Johnson circulated a letter seeking a delay, joined by Dave McCormick, Jim Banks and Mike Lee, who said outstanding races should be resolved before leaders are chosen.

Thune, who succeeded Mitch McConnell in early 2025, has generally backed Donald Trump’s policies but resisted changing Senate rules to pass voting legislation requiring proof of citizenship, frustrating Trump and some supporters.

Republicans lost Senate races in Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kansas and Texas, while contests in Alaska and Mississippi remained unresolved; cost-of-living concerns and the war in Iran were central campaign issues.

Some Republicans called for a new direction focused on affordability, criticizing cuts to Medicaid and rural hospital funding in a tax-cut bill; Josh Hawley said leadership had not acknowledged those concerns.

Rand Paul also cited the cost of living, high gas prices and the war in Iran as factors in voters’ decisions, while Kevin Cramer said senators discussed Donald Trump during the meeting.

During Thune’s two years leading the conference, Senate Republicans passed Donald Trump’s tax, border security and defense agenda, confirmed nominees and approved some bipartisan measures, while also facing record-breaking government shutdowns and tensions with the White House.

Rick Scott called for firm commitments on priorities including judicial nominees, government funding without a large omnibus bill, a stock-trading ban, permitting reform, defense legislation, the SAVE America Act and balancing the budget.

Republicans are also trying to finish year-end work, including government funding, and confirm as many of Donald Trump’s nominees as possible before the new Congress begins Jan. 3.

Thune said the results offered Republicans a chance to reflect on what the party should improve and urged the next Congress to focus more strongly on affordability.

After discussions lasting more than seven hours, no one challenged the leadership candidates, and Thune’s leadership team was reelected, with Bernie Moreno joining it.

Democrats are separately considering whether Chuck Schumer should remain their leader, though he appears to have broad support after the party’s election gains and potential challengers include Chris Van Hollen and Elissa Slotkin.