Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) urged his Republican colleagues not to support the imposition of term limits in a closed-door meeting.
McConnell, 82, has previously spoken out against term limits and reiterated his position in a Wednesday meeting. According to Axios, he stressed that imposing limits would be a bad idea.
The Senate minority leader argued that imposing term limits would weaken the leader’s power and hurt fundraising.
McConnell himself made history as the longest-serving Senate leader in U.S. history, serving in the position for roughly 17 years.
Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and John Thune (R-SD), both running for McConnell’s position, didn’t speak during the meeting. Cornyn has previously expressed support for term limits.
“One reason I am running to be the next Republican leader is because I believe the Senate needs more engagement from all of my colleagues, and that includes the opportunity for any member to serve in leadership,” he said earlier this month. “I will support a conference vote to change the rules and institute term limits for the Republican leader.”
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The meeting also touched on the filibuster, with the senators uniting around the conviction that it must remain in place. Democrats are vying to get rid of the filibuster entirely.
McConnell’s age and health were cited by critics as necessitating the need for term limits in Senate leadership, particularly after his freezing episodes last year.
