Senate Republicans chose John Thune of South Dakota, a longtime Mitch McConnell deputy, as their new leader over Donald Trump ally Rick Scott and another longtime leader, John Cornyn.

Sen. John Thune "has called for taking the debt limit hostage to force cuts to Social Security," warned one defender of the nation's most effective anti-poverty program.

Sen. John Thune (R-SD), a longtime politician, will succeed Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) in becoming the next Senate majority leader. Following a closed-door vote, Thune won the leadership role after a tight three-way race between himself and Sens.