Democrats unanimously back Schumer to remain Senate majority leader

Senate Democrats have unanimously voted to keep New York Sen. Chuck Schumer as Senate majority leader leader for the next session of Congress.

"We had a great unified meeting, where we were both very glad about what we were able to accomplish in the last Congress and setting aspirations — strong aspirations — that we will accomplish as much in the next two years," Schumer said of the meeting during which the party lawmakers backed him, the Epoch Times reported.

The party has also opted to retain its existing leadership, with the exception of Washington Democratic Sen. Patty Murray, who will leave the leadership team but instead serve as the Senate's president pro tempore.

Illinois Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin will retain his post as majority whip while Michigan Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow will take the no. 3 spot in leadership as chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee.

The next Congress will see Democrats command a 51-seat majority in the Senate, a net gain of one seat over the current Congress. While nearly all incumbent senators will return in January, the Democrats picked up a seat in Pennsylvania, left vulnerable by the retirement of two-term Republican Sen. Pat Toomey.

On the Republican side, Kentucky Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell will remain minority leader. In the House, New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries will lead the Democrats while current House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy is still working to secure enough support from Republicans to become Speaker of the House.