New Congress Expected to Retain Old Leadership

Photo Courtesy - Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- Despite an election that saw a wave of Republicans sweep the GOP into the House majority, when Congress convenes early next January both parties figure to closely resemble the current House leadership of the 111th Congress.

House Democrats and Republicans are meeting separately in private sessions Wednesday to elect their leaders for the 112th session of Congress.  The Democratic Caucus will meet at 10 a.m. while the House Republicans will meet at 1 p.m. to choose their leadership team.

Republicans are almost certain to elect their current top-two leaders to lead the GOP in the next session.  House Minority Leader John Boehner is expected to run unopposed as the next Speaker of the House while Minority Whip Eric Cantor of Virginia is expected to be selected as Majority Leader.

The current Deputy Whip, California Rep. Kevin McCarthy, stands to move up the GOP ranks to the third-ranking post in the Republican majority as House Majority Whip.  Republicans are also expected to choose Texas Rep. Jeb Hensarling as the GOP Conference chairman, the party's fourth-ranking post being vacated by Rep. Mike Pence, who is not seeking reelection to the House Republican leadership.

Democrats will first elect the Democratic Caucus Chairman, who will then preside over the remainder of the caucus.  The current chairman is Connecticut Rep. John Larson who is expected to be re-elected to the post unopposed.

Next, House Democrats will elect the Democratic Leader, also known as minority leader.  Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi surprised many in the caucus by announcing early this month that she was running to remain the House's top Democrat.  Although Pelosi is expected to win that election easily, the minority leader post is expected to be the only contended post in the House Democratic leadership election.

Copyright 2010 ABC News Radio