The possibility of Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton seeking the presidency in 2016 was the political elephant in the room - or the Democratic donkey - during her congressional hearing on Libya.

Republican Rep. Steve Chabot wished Clinton, as he put it, "the best in your future endeavors - mostly." Democratic Rep. Eni F.H. Faleomavaega said he was looking ahead to 2016.

They made the comments as Clinton testified Wednesday before the House Foreign Affairs Committee about the September attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya.

Clinton, who is stepping down, hasn't silenced the chatter of White House ambitions. The former first lady, one-time New York senator and 2008 presidential candidate is frequently mentioned as a possible candidate.