Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky has been chosen by fellow Republicans to become Senate majority leader when the new Congress convenes in January.
A Senate GOP official says McConnell was elected by acclamation today at a closed-door meeting of the rank and file.
As majority leader, McConnell will set the Senate's agenda. Along with House Speaker John Boehner, he will decide what legislation is sent to the White House in the final two years of President Barack Obama's term.
The 72-year-old McConnell was elected to a sixth Senate term last week in elections in which Republicans gained a majority for the first time in eight years.