In a landmark announcement on the Senate floor, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell declared his intention to resign as the GOP leader in November. The Kentucky Republican’s decision signals the end of an era in Capitol Hill politics and initiates a high-stakes contest for his successor.
McConnell, who celebrated his 82nd birthday last week, will continue to serve in the US Senate, but will pass the leadership baton to “the next generation of leadership” within the Senate Republican Conference. He acknowledged, “the end of my contributions are closer than I prefer.”
McConnell’s influence has been monumental in Washington, DC, with his political career marked by significant milestones. In 2023, he etched his name in history as the longest-serving Senate party leader.
“As I have been contemplating when to share this news with the Senate, I envisioned a moment of absolute clarity and tranquility about the conclusion of my work,” McConnell expressed during his floor speech. “A moment when I am confident I have helped uphold the principles I fervently believe in. That day has come today.”
His speech was met with a standing ovation, and he was approached by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, for a handshake. Numerous colleagues from both political spectrums followed suit, with Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska offering a warm embrace.
McConnell’s health has been a topic of concern following a series of high-profile health incidents over the past year, including a concussion after a fall and episodes of freezing while speaking to reporters. These incidents raised questions about his health and ability to lead the Senate Republican conference.
McConnell revealed that his decision to step down was influenced by the recent tragic death of his wife Elaine Chao’s youngest sister, Angela, in a traffic accident. He thanked his wife of 31 years, referring to her as the “love of my life” and expressing his eternal gratitude for her support.
He concluded his speech with a message for his critics, assuring them that he was prepared to continue challenging them during his remaining tenure. “I still have enough gas in my tank to thoroughly disappoint my critics, and I intend to do so with all the enthusiasm with which they’ve become accustomed,” he stated.
This story has been updated with additional developments. Contributions to this report were made by CNN’s Dana Bash and Kristin Wilson.