The Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee is seeking a waiver to stay in his top leadership position beyond the Republican-imposed six-year term limit, his office confirmed to The Hill.
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas)’s request for a waiver indicates his preference to remain in Congress rather than assume a position in a second Trump administration or assume a stronger foreign policy leadership role in a second Biden administration.
McCaul’s waiver application was first reported by Punchbowl News.
McCaul served as the committee’s chairman during the 118th Congress and served as ranking member when Republicans were in the minority during the past two Congresses.
If Democrats win the House in November, McCaul’s waiver would allow him to retain his position as the committee’s ranking Republican.
“When President Trump returns to the White House, he will need a member of Congress who can help immediately repair the damage caused by President Biden’s weakness, and that’s me,” the committee chairman said in a statement to The Hill.
“I have the connections and experience to move bills into law. My committee has been the most productive in the 118th Congress. 67 bills have passed the House and 18 HFAC bills have become law. The world is on fire. Now is the time for consistent leadership.”
In a February interview with the Christian Science Monitor, McCaul said he would “consider” a Trump presidency but remained hesitant, saying he would prefer to pursue his foreign policy vision as a member of Congress, where he would have more influence.
“If asked, I don’t know if I would do it,” he said.
“I’ll consider it. … I need to have a serious conversation about whether I can advance my worldview.”
While McCaul is a supporter of former President Trump, he has been one of the most powerful voices in Congress opposing the isolationist movement within the Republican Party that largely represents the former president’s foreign policy views.
McCaul has been a supporter of U.S. aid to Ukraine and is credited with influencing House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana)’s decision in April to bring an aid package for Kiev to the floor for a vote despite opposition from a majority of Congress.
McCaul also pushed back against fellow council members who said the U.S. should cut foreign spending and focus on domestic issues, particularly immigration. He voiced support for Trump’s proposal to turn some foreign aid into loans, but opposed making military aid conditional on repayment only.
