Thune elected Senate majority leader, says his GOP leadership team 'united' on passing Trump agenda

Newly elected Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., vowed Wednesday to advance President-elect Donald Trump's agenda.

"We will make sure that the president and and his team have the tools and support that they need to enforce border security laws and to remove violent criminals who are wreaking havoc in every one of our states," Thune said at a press conference.

He added that the Senate would make America prosperous by overturning regulations placed by the Biden-Harris administration. 

"The American people have loudly rejected the failed policies of the Biden-Harris-Schumer agenda," Thune said. "This Republican team is united." 

Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., was selected as Majority Whip, Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., is now vice chairman of the Senate GOP Policy Committee and Sen. Shelly Moore is the No. 4 Senate Republican.

Thune won the post of Senate majority leader on the second round of voting.

He defeated Sens. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and John Cornyn, R-Texas.

Scott was eliminated in the first round of ballots cast. He received 13 votes in the first round, while Cornyn got 15 and Thune got 23, according to Fox News. 

There were two write-in votes.

Punchbowl News reported that Thune won 29-24.

"I am extremely honored to have earned the support of my colleagues to lead the Senate in the 119th Congress and am beyond proud of the work we have done to secure our majority and the White House," Thune said in a statement posted to the social media platform, X.