Switching to national politics.

US Senator John Thune of South Dakota is the next Republican leader of the US Senate.

Republican senators elected Thune in a closed door meeting.

He beat out Senator John Cornyn of Texas and Senator Rick Scott of Florida.

Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky is stepping down as leader but will remain as a senator from Kentucky.

Thune will become Senate majority leader because Republicans won control of the Senate in last week's election.

Senator McConnell put out a statement about Senator Thune's election as Republican leader.

It says in part, John Thune's election is a clear endorsement of a consummate leader.

The confidence our colleagues have placed in John's legislative experience and political skill is well-deserved, end quote.

Senator McConnell spoke on the Senate floor yesterday about the work the Senate still needs to complete during the lame duck session of Congress that's now underway.

He said the Senate has work to do on defense policy and storm relief.

We also need to work swiftly to deliver urgent supplemental assistance to the states and communities hit hard by natural disasters in recent months.

The country knows the power and pain of severe storms and flooding.

This year, the communities across the southeast recovering from major hurricane and flooding.

Flood damage deserve the Senate's attention and support.

And before anyone gets home for the holidays, we will need to extend federal government funding.

I've said before, there's never political advantage to be gained from allowing government functions to go dark.

The new Congress convenes on January 3rd.