Mitch McConnell, the longest-serving Senate leader in history who has somehow maintained his control in the face of ostentatious unrest in the Republican Party for almost two decades, will step down in November.
McConnell, who turned 82 last week, was due to announce his decision Wednesday in the well of the Senate after his initial arrival in 1985.
"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 comes on the heels of a powerful transition within the Republican Party, from Ronald Reagan's traditional conservatism and strong international alliances to the unstable and isolated populism of former President Donald Trump.
McConnell intends to serve the remainder of his Senate term, set to end in January 2027, "albeit from a different seat in the chamber."
Aides continue to allege McConnell's departure announcement is unrelated to his health. The Kentucky senator suffered a concussion from a fall last year and two public episodes where his face froze for some time while speaking.
"As I have been thinking about when I would deliver some news to the Senate, I always imagined a moment when I had total clarity and peace about the sunset of my work," McConnell said in his prepared remarks. "A moment when I am certain I have helped preserve the ideals I so strongly believe. It arrived today."
The senator had been under increasing pressure from the more hostile wing of his party that has pledged allegiance to Trump. The two have been estranged since December 2020, when McConnell refused to go along with Trump's lie that the election of Democrat Joe Biden as president was the result of fraud.
"Father Time Remains Undefeated"
McConnell himself cited no specific reason for the timing of his decision but mentioned he had been mulling it over for months after the death of his wife's youngest sister prompted introspection.
"The end of my contributions is closer than I'd prefer," he said.
"I love the Senate," he continued. "It has been my life. There may be more distinguished members of this body throughout our history, but I doubt there are any with more admiration for it."
But, he added, "Father Time remains undefeated. I am no longer the young man sitting in the back, hoping colleagues would remember my name. It is time for the next generation of leadership."
"I still have enough gas in the tank to thoroughly disappoint my critics and I intend to do so with all the enthusiasm which they have become accustomed."
