Senate Democrats prepare to tap leadership for new minority era

Senate Democrats will huddle Tuesday morning to elect colleagues to the party’s leadership ranks — with the main action expected to be the elevation of Sens. Amy Klobuchar (Minn.) and Cory Booker (N.J.) into the third and fourth spots of conference leadership, respectively.

Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and Whip Dick Durbin are expected to be tapped again for their leadership posts, while Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.) is slated to become chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Meanwhile, Senate Republicans are expected to hold an hourslong policy retreat on Tuesday to discuss the planned party-line reconciliation push.

Floor action watch: The Senate confirmed two more of President Joe Biden’s judicial picks to lifetime posts on Monday evening and Schumer filed cloture on five more picks, including a familiar face to Capitol Hill watchers: former one-term Democratic Rep. Anthony Brindisi (N.Y.).

The House returns Tuesday night for its first votes since Thanksgiving. Lawmakers will churn through 20 bills on suspension.