 He argued that changes could help conference priorities and messaging. Lee disagreed. The back-and-forth is the latest example of growing tensions within the Republican conference over not only who will lead them, but what powers that person should have. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is planning to step away from his post late this year. Conservatives demand changes from whomever succeeds McConnell. And many senators see the House Republican conference's chaos this term as a potential warning sign. Republicans will likely vote in secret to tap a new leader in November.