Meet the GOP's Senate resistance
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Next year's outlandish confirmation fights could thrust incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) between his Republican conference and his president.
Why it matters: Thune can afford to lose three Senate GOP votes on Trump nominees. But at least six Senate Republicans, depending on the specific nominee, could be in line to blockade President-elect Trump.
- The institutionalist: Outgoing GOP leader Sen. Mitch McConnell's (R-Ky.) every move will get top scrutiny. He isn't constrained by future leader elections, and loathes Trump.
- The moderates: Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) are in the position to be the critical swing votes for Thune on most issues, as we told you two weeks ago. Collins is also up for reelection in 2026.
- The 2026 factor: Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) is up for reelection and is likely to face a strong Democratic challenger without Trump on the ballot.
- The holdout: Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) refused to endorse Trump this cycle.
- The newcomer: Newly elected Sen. John Curtis from Utah is expected to at least partially follow in the shoes of retiring Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) as a more moderate voice in the conference, less willing to fall in line with Trump's whims.
Between the lines: The question is whether this group sticks with the tradition of giving the president deference for his appointments — or whether they use their "advice and consent" role to say Trump's picks go too far.
Editor's note: The article has been updated to reflect recent comments from Sen. Susan Collins that she intends to run for her Senate seat again in 2026.
