House Republicans in leadership positions in the next Congress will have to abdicate their positions if they announce a run for higher office. The GOP conference adopted their internal rules for the 116th Congress Thursday, including the proposal on leadership from New York Rep. Elise Stefanik.

The provision from Stefanik would preclude the situation that Rep. Luke Messer was in last year, when he served as the chairman of the Republican Policy Committee while also running for the Senate.

Leadership roles can be launching pads for members to run for governor or the Senate, but that divides the member’s attention. Stefanik exited the meeting in high spirits, saying that the only two amendments adopted were hers and a proposal from Alaska’s Rep. Don Young.

Young’s proposal was tailored to a specific constituency — himself. His amendment will allow the dean of the House to serve on the Republican Steering Committee, provided he or she is a Republican. Young is the dean, the title ascribed to the longest-serving House member.

The Republican conference gathered in Longworth over lunch to discuss and vote on the rules proposals. Retiring members and those who lost their elections last week were present, but not permitted to vote. Fresh-faced members-elect got a chance to voice their views on the rules they’ll serve under beginning in January.