Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has announced that he will step down as the Republican leader of the Senate. McConnell, who holds the record as the longest-serving Senate leader in history, is set to step down from his position in November.
In a statement, McConnell expressed, “One of life’s most underappreciated talents is to know when it’s time to move on to life’s next chapter.” The Senator from Kentucky affirmed, “So I stand before you today … to say that this will be my last term as Republican leader of the Senate.”
Mitch McConnell acknowledges he’s out of step with the Republican Party as he announces he will leave the Senate:
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) February 28, 2024
“I know the politics within my party at this particular moment in time. I have many faults. Misunderstanding politics is not one of them.” pic.twitter.com/OIyOblPhGf
AP News reported:
Mitch McConnell, the longest-serving Senate leader in history who maintained his power in the face of dramatic convulsions in the Republican Party for almost two decades, will step down from that position in November.
McConnell, who turned 82 last week, was set to announce his decision Wednesday in the well of the Senate, a place where he looked in awe from its back benches in 1985 when he arrived and where he grew increasingly comfortable in the front row seat afforded the party leaders.
“One of life’s most underappreciated talents is to know when it’s time to move on to life’s next chapter,” he said in prepared remarks obtained by The Associated Press. “So I stand before you today … to say that this will be my last term as Republican leader of the Senate.”
His decision punctuates a powerful ideological transition underway in the Republican Party, from Ronald Reagan’s brand of traditional conservatism and strong international alliances, to the fiery, often isolationist populism of former President Donald Trump.
According to CNBC, McConnell plans to finish out his term, which ends in 2027:
Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said Wednesday that he will step down as Republican leader in the Senate in November.
McConnell, 82, revealed his plans in address to the Senate.
McConnell, who is the long-serving Senate caucus leader in history, plans to keep his seat in the chamber. His term ends in January 2027.
“So I stand before you today Mr. President, and my colleagues, to say this will be my last term as Republican leader of the Senate,” McConnell said from the well of the Senate.
He noted “this has been a particularly difficult time for my family,” including his wife, former Cabinet secretary Elaine Chao.
“We tragically lost Elaine’s younger sister Angela, just a few weeks ago,” McConnell said, referring to the apparent drowning death of Foremost Group CEO Angela Chao in a pond on a Texas ranch.
Good riddance!
Bye-bye Mitch McConnell
— Freedom 🇺🇸🦅 (@PU28453638) February 28, 2024
we will not miss you! pic.twitter.com/sH3pk7QFr9
