Senate Republicans are gathering behind closed doors to pick a new majority leader

Republican senators will gather behind closed doors Wednesday to decide who will replace longtime Senate leader Mitch McConnell and lead their new majority next year — a decision that could determine the future of the Senate, and the party, as Donald Trump reclaims the presidency. South Dakota Sen. John Thune, Texas Sen. John Cornyn and Florida Sen. Rick Scott have been scrambling in recent days to win the most votes in the secret ballot election, promising a new direction in the Senate and furiously competing over how close they are to Trump. It will be the first test of Trump’s relationship with Congress.