Democratic and Republican Senators met separately Wednesday to choose their leadership teams for the upcoming 113th Congress that begins in January.
Senate Majority leader Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) announced the Democrats will maintain their leadership positions from the 112th congress, which includes Sen. Reid, Assistant Majority Leader Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Vice Chair of the Conference and Chair of the Senate Democratic Policy and Communications Center Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
Sen. Reid, in making the announcement, also congratulated the Senate on having the most women in that body's history. He then answered reporters' questions about the upcoming Senate agenda, which may include changing the rules for a filibuster.
The Democrats gained two Senate seats in the 2012 election, in Indiana and Massachusetts. There are two Independents, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has caucused with the Democrats in the past and newly elected Maine Senator Angus King who announced on Wednesday that he will caucus with the Senate Democrats.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) was elected Minority Whip, the second-ranking Senate Republican, replacing retiring Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ). Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), along with other members of the Republican leadership, were re-elected to their posts.