Sen. Mitch McConnell to relinquish leadership role in November

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announces he’s stepping down from his leadership role in November.

Kentucky’s longest serving senator has been in his seat since 1985 and leader since 2007. On the Senate floor today, McConnell says “he will let the next generation of leadership take over.”

“Father time is undefeated,” McConnell said. “I’m no longer the young man sitting in the back, hoping colleagues would remember my name… One of life’s most underappreciated talents, when you know it’s time to move on to life’s next chapter.”

McConnell is being sent out with the well wishes of his fellow Kentuckians.

“I’d like to congratulate Senator McConnell on his long tenure,” Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) said.

Congressman Andy Barr released a statement on X, formerly Twitter, calling McConnell an “extraordinary leader”.

Across the aisle, the lone Democratic member of the Bluegrass state’s delegation Representative Morgan McGarvey said despite disagreeing with McConnell on almost every topic. He appreciates the longtime politicians public service and recent bipartisan efforts.

“Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is the longest-serving leader, and one of the most consequential legislators, in Senate history,” McGarvey said. “While we disagree on almost everything, I appreciate his bipartisan leadership in passing the bipartisan infrastructure law, avoiding government shutdowns, and securing funding for our international allies. We don’t see eye to eye on most issues, but we both believe in public service. Leader McConnell is only stepping down from his leadership role, and I look forward to working with him to support Kentuckians whenever possible.”

President Joe Biden even shared words of the longtime lawmaker.

“American Democracy is based on elected representatives coming together and bridging their different points of view to find common ground on behalf of the American people,” Biden said. “I’m proud that my friend Mitch McConnell and I have been able to do that for many years, working together in good faith even though we have many political disagreements. During his many years of leadership, we could always speak with each other honestly and put the country ahead of ourselves. America is now being rebuilt by the biggest infrastructure law in nearly 70 years. We’re making critical investments so our economy can outcompete China. We’re standing up for our values and our most urgent national security interests in the world because of it. America is making tremendous strides towards curing cancer. There is nothing America cannot do when we do it together. Mitch has lived the American dream, overcoming polio and going on to become the longest-serving Senate leader in American history. Jill and I wish the best to Mitch and Elaine.”

McConnell isn’t leaving the leadership until November. He says he plans to serve out his current Senate term which ends in January 2027.

“We know he’s had some significant health issues, George Washington University Professor Todd Belt said. “He’s also stepping down at a time where it’s a real critical issue for Republicans to get budget deals passed. He more than anyone else in the Senate has had the ability to bring on the other members of the conference to get compromises done.”

“When I have total clarity, and peace about the sunset of my work,” McConnell said. “A moment when I’m certain I have helped preserve the ideals I so strongly believed.”

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