英语文摘：U.S. Senate Democrats, Republicans re-elect leadership in new Congress

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Top Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. Senate got easy re-elections on Tuesday, as Congress reconvened for the lame-duck session.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was re-elected to lead the Senate Democratic caucus in the new Congress, which is to gather in January.

Dick Durbin remains the second-ranking Democrat in the chamber; Charles Schumer will keep his post as the third-ranking Senate Democrat.

Democrats suffered substantial losses in midterm elections earlier this month, losing majority in the House of Representatives while holding a slimmer advantage in the Senate.

On the Republican side, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell retained his top position in the Senate Republican caucus. John Kyl and Lamar Alexander were re-elected respectively to hold the second-and-third ranking positions in their party's caucus.

Elections for both parties' leadership in the House is scheduled to be held on Wednesday.

John Boehner, now serving as the House minority leader, is likely to replace Nancy Pelosi as the new House Speaker, as Republicans won a net gain of at least 60 seats in the lower chamber in the congressional elections.

Pelosi could well retain her position as the top Democrat in the House, as she has decided not to step down. But Heath Shuler, a Democratic moderate, mounted a challenge against Pelosi for the position, although his chances were seen as extremely slim.