Senate Democrats re-elected the leadership team helmed by Sen. Harry Reid despite losing the majority in an Election Day trouncing by Republicans last week.
But Reid emerged from the closed-door caucus elections with a surprise — two female lawmakers were added to the leadership group.
Sens. Elizabeth Warren, a rising liberal star from Massachusetts, and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota will serve in two newly created posts.
“We’re going to expand our leadership,” Reid said. “We’re going to do things a little differently, just different approach.”
While Warren will likely serve as a bridge between Senate Democratic leadership and increasingly disgruntled liberal groups, Klobuchar is seen as a lawmaker who can work with Republicans.
“I don’t know of anyone that tries harder to work across party lines than she does,” Reid said.
Warren’s official title, according to Reid’s office, is “strategic policy advisor to the Democratic Policy and Communications Center.”
Klobuchar will serve as Democratic steering and outreach committee chairwoman.
The move to expand the leadership team comes after simmering anger among Democrats that the leadership team contributed to their defeat in part by blocking most floor amendments and some key legislation sought by vulnerable Democratic lawmakers.
Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., said they opposed Reid’s re-election, but since no candidate ran against him, their opposition was largely symbolic.
The Democrats picked a new lawmaker to run their fundraising arm, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., will take on the difficult job of trying to win back the Senate majority, though the map will likely be more favorable for Democrats in 2016 than it was this year.
In addition to Reid, Democrats returned Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois to the No. 2 post of Democratic whip and Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York to the post of conference vice chairman and Democratic Policy and Communications Center chairman.
Sen. Patty Murray of Oregon kept her job as conference secretary and Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan will again serve as Democratic Policy and Communications Center vice chairwoman.
Warren invoked a populist tone with reporters when asked what she hoped to accomplish as new Senate leader.
“You know, Wall Street is doing very well, CEOs are bringing in millions more, and families all across this country are struggling,” Warren said. “We have to make this government work for the American people. And that’s what we’re here to fight for.”
