Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) will step down from his post as the Senate’s top Republican, he announced Wednesday, putting an end to his historic 17-year run as the GOP’s leader in the Senate, as McConnell faces questions over his age and health.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told colleagues he plans to step down as the GOP ... [+]
McConnell, 82, announced his decision in front of the Senate, telling his colleagues he believes “it’s time to move on to life’s next chapter.”
The minority leader said he will step down after the party selects a new leader in November, and will remain in the Senate after that (his current term ends in January 2027).
McConnell, who was first elected to the Senate in 1985, served as the GOP’s minority leader from 2007 to 2015, before taking on the role of majority leader when the GOP took control of the chamber in 2015—he has been minority leader since Democrats took control in January 2021.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
McConnell Speaks Out After Freeze-Up: Vows To Stay GOP Leader And Finish Senate Term (Forbes)