����vlog

President Joe Biden will meet with President-elect Donald Trump Wednesday morning to discuss his transition back to the White House as Republican lawmakers prepare to elect new leaders in Congress.

Biden's invitation to Trump is a longstanding White House tradition — one that Trump declined to participate in four years ago. Though Trump had refused to acknowledge his 2020 election loss, the Biden administration has approached the matter differently, highlighting a need for a peaceful transition.

"[Biden] believes in the norms, he believes in our institution," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. "He believes in a peaceful transfer of power."

On the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, Republicans are busy preparing to take over the Senate with their 53-seat majority. A secret ballot election will take place Wednesday morning as longstanding Republican leader Mitch McConnell prepares to step down.

"I hope they'll work with the new Senate Republican majority as we begin to clean up the messes," McConnell said on the Senate floor Tuesday.

Republicans will choose between three candidates vying for the position, including John Cornyn of Texas, Rick Scott of Florida, and John Thune of South Dakota.

Whoever wins must agree to one condition: allowing Trump to appoint nominees for up to two-year terms, bypassing Senate confirmation in what's known as a "recess appointment."

There is no clear frontrunner among the three candidates running for Senate Majority Leader, but Cornyn, Thune, and Scott are promising a new direction for the Senate, including opportunities for lawmakers to bring bills to the floor and offer amendments, as well as better communication.

Trump hasn't endorsed any one candidate yet, but Scott has received the support of Trump allies and MAGA celebrities.

Thune and Cornyn are viewed as Senate traditionalists, similar to McConnell. Thune, who has stepped in whenever McConnell has been absent, could be seen by his party as "most ready" to take over.

"This is a litmus test," political analyst Todd Belt said. "[Trump] wants people who are going to be loyal, and he wants people who are going to be disruptive to the internal workings of Washington."

House Republicans will also hold their own leadership election Wednesday, though the Speaker will need a majority vote among all House lawmakers next year.

House leadership elections are still taking place with no definitive word on who will control the lower chamber. Republicans are within two seats of a majority, with 12 seats yet to be called.