Senate GOP Split on Leadership Term Limits

Senate Republicans are in disagreement about the implementation of term limits for the leadership position currently held by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., once he steps down.

As reported by the Washington Examiner, all Senate Republican leadership roles, except the top position, currently have term limits. Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas, who is one of the two GOP senators vying to succeed McConnell, recently suggested changing GOP conference rules to include a term limit for the leadership role.

However, McConnell rejected this idea, calling it “totally inappropriate.”

“Well, we already have term limits. They’re called elections, and I faced a contest in my last leader election,” McConnell stated. “I believe the conference should have the freedom to choose whomever they wish.”

Senator John Thune, R-S.D., who is competing with Cornyn for the position, expressed openness to discussing term limits but believes it is premature to have this discussion so far in advance of the next leadership election.

“I want to hear from the leadership candidates about any proposed changes to the conference rules,” said Senator Mike Lee, R-Utah, a member of the Senate GOP ‘Breakfast Club’. “This is just one of the many issues that will arise.”

Senator John Barrasso, R-Wyo., running for Senate Republican Whip, stated that a conference meeting scheduled for March 20 will help resolve the debate over term limits.

“People will need to decide on their proposals, and there will be debates. Every conference provides opportunities to discuss these matters,” Barrasso noted. “We don’t frequently change the rules.”