Mitch McConnell will resign as Senate Minority Republican Leader in November
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On Wednesday, the Republican from Kentucky, who is currently serving as Senate Minority Leader, said that he will be stepping down as GOP leader in November. This announcement marks the end of an era on Capitol Hill and sets the stage for a highly competitive fight for his replacement.
Even though he’ll be stepping down as Senate Republican Conference chair, he’ll keep serving in the US Senate.
“The end of my contributions is closer than I prefer,” McConnell stated, referring to his 82nd birthday last week.
Throughout his time in politics, McConnell has been a towering presence in the nation’s capital and accomplished much. In 2023, McConnell broke the record for the longest-serving Senate party leader.
The question of whether the United States should provide more money for the war in Ukraine has been at the center of the tensions between McConnell and his conference members in recent months. Donald Trump, the Republican Party’s front-runner for president, and McConnell have a tense relationship. The two reportedly hadn’t communicated in over three years, according to a January CNN report.
“When I have been considering the time to inform the Senate, I have always envisioned a moment when I am completely at peace and have clarity regarding the end of my tenure,” McConnell stated during his speech on the floor. Just one of those rare moments when I know I have done my part to keep the values in which I believe alive and well. Today, that day came.
At the conclusion of his remarks, he was met with a standing ovation, and thereafter, New York Senator Chuck Schumer—the majority leader of the Senate—came over to shake his hand. Other colleagues from both parties were following him as Alaska Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski embraced him.
Trump’s tenure and McConnell’s record
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McConnell has been a key player in Republican politics for a long time, and he has been instrumental in the party’s big wins since he has been leader.
During the tenure of former President Donald Trump, McConnell oversaw the confirmation of three justices nominated by Trump to the Supreme Court: Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. He also oversaw the nomination of numerous conservative judges to the federal bench, a move that significantly altered the makeup of the federal judiciary.
Nevertheless, there have been notable instances where McConnell and Trump have disagreed, leading to a potential showdown between the two influential Republicans. Trump is currently the GOP presidential frontrunner.
On January 6, 2021, a pro-Trump mob attempted to reverse Joe Biden’s presidential victory by storming the Capitol. McConnell, who had previously blamed Trump for encouraging the attack, voted to exonerate him from inciting an uprising when the House moved to impeach him.During his four years in office, the normally silent Republican leader of the Senate seldom departed from Trump’s policies. Despite the rioters’ threats to reverse the certified presidential election, he spearheaded the Senate’s confirmation of the results and harshly denounced the bloodshed in the nation’s capital.
McConnell has had a series of high-profile health problems in the last year, which has put him in the spotlight. He had a concussion in March following a fall at a DC hotel.
A few months down the road, McConnell had moments where he seemed to momentarily lose his composure while addressing reporters twice; these occurrences caused many to wonder whether the Republican from Kentucky was healthy enough to be the leader of the Senate Republican Party.
During the tenure of former President Donald Trump, McConnell oversaw the confirmation of three justices nominated by Trump to the Supreme Court: Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. He also oversaw the nomination of numerous conservative judges to the federal bench, a move that significantly altered the makeup of the federal judiciary.
Nevertheless, there have been notable instances where McConnell and Trump have disagreed, leading to a potential showdown between the two influential Republicans. Trump is currently the GOP presidential frontrunner.
On January 6, 2021, a pro-Trump mob attempted to reverse Joe Biden’s presidential victory by storming the Capitol. McConnell, who had previously blamed Trump for encouraging the attack, voted to exonerate him from inciting an uprising when the House moved to impeach him.
During his four years in office, the normally silent Republican leader of the Senate seldom departed from Trump’s policies. Despite the rioters’ threats to reverse the certified presidential election, he spearheaded the Senate’s confirmation of the results and harshly denounced the bloodshed in the nation’s capital.
For the Senate, McConnell holds the record for most years as party leader
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According to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader of the Senate will be stepping down in November. He broke the record of 16 years held by Democrat Mike Mansfield in the 1970s, when he served as a majority or minority leader for 17 years in total.
In his heartfelt speech, he praised his 31-year marriage to his “love of my life” and expressed his eternal gratitude for her unwavering support.
At the end of his speech, he promised his detractors that he would continue to be an annoyance as a leader. According to him, there is still enough fuel left in his tank to completely disappoint his detractors, and he plans to do it with the same level of zeal they’ve grown to expect.
The GOP leadership race in the Senate is well underway
On Capitol Hill, the “three Johns”—Senators John Barrasso of Wyoming, John Cornyn of Texas, and John Thune of South Dakota—are the three Republicans who are most keenly monitored as possible successors.
In response to McConnell’s announcement, Senate minority whip Thune refused to confirm or deny whether he is seeking leadership.
As Thune entered a Senate GOP lunch, he stated he would not be making any announcements. When asked whether he would make an announcement before November, Thune responded, “I’ll get back to you.”
Cornyn had already evaded inquiries regarding his potential leadership candidacy on multiple occasions.
He told CNN, “I think Mitch has been one of a kind in terms of his leadership in the Senate,” as he walked off the floor after hearing McConnell’s address.
Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), a Republican who has been hard on McConnell, has been mum on whether he intends to seek the position of party leader. At the conclusion of the previous Congress, Scott ran against McConnell for the position.
“My reelection is my first priority,” he told CNN. This year, Scott will be leaving the Senate.
