Mitch McConnell

Sen. Mitch McConnell’s extended absence from public view is renewing a long-running debate over the age and tenure of members of Congress, even as voters continue to reelect some of the nation’s oldest and longest-serving lawmakers.

McConnell, 84, has spent more than four decades in Congress but has not been seen publicly in roughly 80 days amid ongoing health concerns, raising questions about his condition and when he will return to Capitol Hill.

Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., said Thursday that he has spoken with members of McConnell’s staff who hope the senator will return when the Senate reconvenes Sept. 14.

“I have not talked to Leader McConnell,” Comer said. “I’ve talked to his staff ... and they have all said it’s their goal for Senator McConnell to be here when the Senate comes in next week.”

McConnell’s office has not publicly confirmed a return date.

His absence comes as polling shows overwhelming public support for limiting how long — and how late in life — lawmakers can serve.

A recent NPR/PBS News/Marist poll found 80% of Americans support establishing a maximum age limit for members of Congress, while 83% support congressional term limits.

“The supermajority of Americans, whether they identify as Democrats, Republicans or independents, support term limits,” said Ibraheem Samirah, Virginia state chair for U.S. Term Limits.

But what voters tell pollsters and what they do at the ballot box can look very different.

That divide was on display in Massachusetts this week, where older incumbents prevailed in several closely watched Democratic primaries. Sen. Ed Markey, an 80-year-old progressive who first entered Congress in 1976, defeated 47-year-old Rep. Seth Moulton.

Reps. Richard Neal and Stephen Lynch, both in their 70s and with more than six decades of combined congressional service, also defeated younger challengers.

“Incumbency is such a powerful thing,” Samirah said, pointing to the contrast between Congress’ persistently low approval ratings and the high reelection rate for individual lawmakers.

Markey is far from the oldest member seeking another term.

Rep. Hal Rogers, R-Ky., and Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., are both 88. Rogers has served in Congress since 1981 and Waters since 1991. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., is 86 and has served since 1993.

Congress currently has no maximum age or term limits for lawmakers. Multiple proposals have been introduced over the years, including efforts to amend the Constitution to cap congressional service, but none has come close to clearing the high threshold required for passage.

For now, the decision over how old is too old — or how long is too long — remains largely with voters.