Senator Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has spent over 18 years as the head Senate Republican since he first started serving this position in 2006. He reportedly plans to step down as the Senate GOP leader after the 2024 election ends
McConnell Says ‘It’s Time to Move On to Life’s Next Chapter‘
In an announcement made Wednesday on the Senate floor, the 82-year-old Republican leader stated that one of the “most underappreciated talents” of life is to “know when it’s time to move on to life’s next chapter.”
He followed that by stating he stood before them on the Senate floor Wednesday to say it would be his last term as Republican leader of the Senate. McConnell made history as the longest-serving Republican leader in the history of the U.S. Senate.
Aides Claim Decision Was Not Related to McConnell’s Health
Aides have reportedly claimed that the decision for Mitch McConnell to step aside was not related to his health. Over the past year, the head Republican has suffered multiple health scares.
For instance, he froze while speaking during a press conference on two separate occasions. He also suffered from a concussion after falling in a Washington hotel.
McConnell Reflected on Recent Death of His Sister-in-Law in Speech
McConnell stated that his decision to step down followed the death of his wife’s youngest sister in a recent traffic accident that occurred earlier this month. He stated that “there’s a certain introspection that accompanies the grieving process” when you lose a loved one.
McConnell further expressed that “perhaps it’s God’s way of reminding you of your own life’s journey to reprioritize the impact of the world that we will all inevitably leave behind.” Angela, who died at the age of 50, served as the CEO and chair of her family’s shipping company, the Foremost Group.
McConnell Still Plans to Serve Out Rest of Term ‘From a Different Seat‘
The Kentucky senator stated in his speech that he still plans to serve out the rest of his current term, which does not end until January 2027. He explained that he still has “enough gas” in the tank to “thoroughly disappoint” his critics.
However, he added that he would be working “from a different seat in the chamber.” He essentially took a nostalgic walk down Memory Lane during his speech as he referenced his decades spent within the Senate, his family, and his age.
McConnell Referenced ‘America’s Global Leadership’, Ronald Reagan in Speech
McConnell highlighted the significant of the global leadership of the United States during a large portion of his speech. He stated that “misunderstanding politics” is not one of his “many faults.”
He expressed his strong belief that “America’s global leadership is essential to preserving the shining city on a hill that Ronald Reagan discussed.” Reagan, a fellow Republican and the 40th U.S. President, also focused on fortifying U.S. alliances after the Cold War ended.
McConnell Says Serving Kentucky Was ‘Honor’ of His Life
Mitch McConnell mentioned in his statement that “to serve Kentucky has been the honor of his life.” He first assumed office as the U.S. Senator from Kentucky in January 1985. He was preceded by Walter Dee Huddleston.
Before he became a Senator, he served as the U.S. Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legislative Affairs (February-June 1975). He later served as a judge/executive representing Jefferson County (December 1977-1984).
McConnell Says Leading His Republican Colleagues Was ‘The Highest Privilege‘
As he reflected on his career and the announcement of this closing chapter, McConnell further expressed that “to lead my Republican colleagues has been the highest privilege.” He essentially started to climb the ladder of Senatorial leadership in the late 1990s.
He served as Chair of the Senate Rules Committee from 1999 to 2001. He also served as the Senate Majority Whip (January 2003-2007), Senate Republican Conference Leader, Senate Majority Leader (January 2015-2021) and his current position as Senate Minority Leader since January of 2021.
Joe Biden Says He ‘Trusted Him’, McConnell ‘Never Misrepresented Anything‘
President Biden commented from the White House to say that he was “sorry to hear he’s stepping down.” Regarding McConnell, Biden further said that he has “trusted him” and that they “have a great relationship.”
Biden added that McConnell has “never, never, never misrepresented anything.” Biden and McConnell served together as senators for over two decades.
Jamie Raskin Targets McConnell, Says ‘He Didn’t Show the Ultimate Courage‘
Maryland Democrat and House Impeachment Manager Jamie Raskin went on record Wednesday saying that he had “a lot of feelings about Mitch McConnell from the second impeachment trial.” He explained that he felt McConnell was “appalled by what Donald Trump had done” and “knew the truth.”
However, Raskin claims that McConnell “couldn’t bring himself to vote to convict along with seven other Republican colleagues who joined the Democrats.” He acknowledged that McConnell was in a “tough situation” with Trump taking over the party. However, he accused McConnell since he “didn’t show the ultimate courage” by voting to convict Trump and find enough other senators to support the same decision.
McConnell Blamed Trump for Attack on Capitol, But Voted for His Acquittal
Mitch McConnell blamed Donald Trump specifically for provoking the pro-Trump mob attack on the Capitol that made history on January 6, 2021. However, McConnell later voted to acquit Trump after the House had already moved to impeach him.
Many of his fellow politicians and colleagues have criticized McConnell for rarely breaking away from Trump in his four-year term as the U.S. president. However, he strongly condemned the violence that took place at the Capitol and worked hard to lead the certification of the presidential election by the Senate.
Chuck Schumer ‘Proud’ He and McConnell ‘Came Together in the Last Few Years‘
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer admitted that he and Mitch McConnell “rarely saw eye to eye.” Nonetheless, he freely admitted that he was “very proud that we both came together in the last few years to lead the Senate forward at critical moments.”
Schumer specifically referenced the passing of the Cares Act as an example during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also mentioned that work that they finished to “certify the election on January 6” and recently “working together to fund the fight for Ukraine.”
McConnell Upended Senate Rules When Securing Supreme Court Justices
While serving as majority leader, Mitch McConnell successfully secured three different justices for the Supreme Court – reportedly shifting the court decisively to the right. For instance, he refused a hearing for Barack Obama’s nominee Merrick Garland and blamed it on the projected switch being too close to an election season.
Once Trump became the U.S. President, McConnell took the steps to fill the open seat with the corporately-aligned Catholic, Neil Gorsuch.
McConnell Made Headlines by Overseeing Brett Kavanaugh Appointment
McConnell took a strong stand when it came to his oversight of the appointment of Brett Kavanaugh, a former aide to George W. Bush, when the time came to find a replacement for Anthony Kennedy.
He stood behind Kavanaugh even after college professor Christine Blasey Ford claimed that he sexually assaulted her at a high school party. He also apparently contradicted himself at the end of Trump’s term when he supported Amy Coney Barrett to fill the seat left vacant after the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Thune, Cornyn, and Barrasso Viewed as Leading Succession Options
John Thune (South Dakota), John Cornyn (Texas), and John Barrasso (Wyoming) have all been referenced by multiple reports as leading contenders to possibly succeed Mitch McConnell. Thune, who was been referred to as McConnell’s “Number 2”, stated that McConnell “leaves really big shoes to fill.”
Thune has served as the Senate Minority Whip since January 2021. He first assumed office as the U.S. Senator from South Dakota in January 2005.
