WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives chose their current majority leader, Rep. John A. Boehner, R-Ohio, as minority leader for the next Congress.
The No. 2 House GOP leader also was returned with the election of Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., as minority whip. Blunt currently is majority whip.
The selections came despite challenges from House members who said the party's defeat 10 days ago meant new people should be at the helm, The Washington Post said.
But, it was no contest. Boehner, who will be the top Republican in the House with the retirement of House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill, defeated challenger Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ill., 168-27.
Blunt won over Rep. John Shadegg, R-Ariz., 137 to 57 with one abstention.
Democrats earlier chose Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., to be majority leader over the opposition of Speaker-elect Nancy Pelosi of California.
