Mitch McConnell stepping down as Republican leader

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Sen. Mitch McConnell steps down as Republican leader

Sen. Mitch McConnell announces on the Senate floor that he is stepping down from his role as Republican leader. (Senate TV)

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the longest-serving party leader in Senate history, announced Wednesday he will step away from leadership in November. 

McConnell, who turned 82 last week, announced his decision in the well of the Senate shortly after noon ET, a place where he looked in awe from its back benches in 1985 when he arrived and where he grew increasingly comfortable in the front-row seat afforded the party leaders.

"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 his floor speech. "So I stand before you today... to say that this will be my last term as Republican leader of the Senate."

The dramatic decision, which will set up a leadership election in the GOP conference with several likely candidates, comes as Republicans have expressed increasing discontent with McConnell's handling of the bipartisan border bill and national security supplemental package that included aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. 

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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., announced Wednesday he will step down from leadership in November, sending shock waves throughout the Senate. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

McConnell has also butted heads with former President Donald Trump, the 2024 Republican presidential frontrunner, who recently said at a Fox News town hall, "I don't know that I can work with [McConnell]." 

Though the Kentucky Republican will not be GOP leader after this year, he intends to finish his current senate term, which ends in January 2027. Sources familiar with his thinking told Fox News Digital the senator's health was not a factor in his decision. McConnell had a concussion after a fall last year and two public episodes when he appeared to freeze while addressing reporters. 

"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 on the Senate floor. "A moment when I am certain I have helped preserve the ideals I so strongly believe. It arrived today."

Looking ahead to his departure, McConnell said it is time for "the next generation" to assume leadership in the Senate. 

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Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., reaches out to help Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., after McConnell froze and stopped talking at the microphone during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on July 26, 2023. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

"There will be a new custodian of this great institution next year. As you know, I intend to turn the job over to a Republican majority leader," he said. "I have full confidence in my conference to choose my replacement and lead our country forward." 

McConnell became emotional as he spoke. Dozens of his staff members attended his speech and colleagues from both parties, many of whom were taken by surprise, gave him a standing ovation at the conclusion of his remarks. 

His speech reflected on his long and storied career, and he somberly noted that the recent death of his wife's youngest sister, Angela Chao, had prompted "a certain introspection that accompanies the grieving process." 

"Perhaps it's God's way of reminding you of your own life's journey to re-prioritize the impact of the world that we all inevitably leave behind," McConnell said. "I turned 82 last week. The end of my contributions are closer than I'd prefer." 

McConnell fondly recalled the beginning of his Senate career, when President Reagan once referred to him as "Mitch O'Donnell" on the campaign trail in Kentucky. At the time, in 1985, Kentucky was still a reliably blue state and McConnell was the first Republican to win a statewide election there in 16 years. 

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In the decades since, McConnell has worked his way through leadership, serving as chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, Senate majority whip and then leader in both the minority and majority. He embraced and fought for Reagan's view of America as a leading superpower and defender of freedom globally, most recently emerging as the top Republican advocate in the Senate for additional aid to Ukraine. 

As majority leader during Trump's first term, McConnell left perhaps his most lasting legacy on the judiciary, confirming 162 district court judges to the federal bench. 

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., speaks with reporters following a closed-door policy lunch at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on June 14, 2022. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

In 2016, he played a major role in the Senate majority’s effort to deny President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland, a confirmation hearing for roughly eight months. The move allowed Trump to fill that vacated seat with Justice Neil Gorsuch in 2017. Then, in 2020, McConnell helped spearhead the confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barrett in the weeks before Election Day.

The move solidified a 6-3 conservative majority on the Supreme Court, which has since delivered landmark wins for conservatives on gun rights and overturning federal protections for abortion. 

Though hardliners would object to McConnell as too willing to concede to the Democrats' demands in government shutdown negotiations — and too critical of Trump — in leadership he has consistently opposed overreaching government regulation, tax hikes and increased government spending.  

On the succession question, potential candidates may include one of McConnell's lieutenants: Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas; John Thune, R-S.D.; or John Barrasso, R-Wyo. 

Florida Sen. Rick Scott had challenged McConnell for GOP leadership in 2022, but lost that leadership election 37-10. 

Reacting to the announcement, several Republicans expressed gratitude for McConnell's leadership and honored his decades-long career in government.

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"Mitch has had a long and honorable tenure as the Republican leader. I am grateful for his service," said Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who had called on McConnell to step down earlier this month. "He made the decision that it was time to step down as leader, and I certainly respect his judgment in that regard. He has many legacies, but none is more consequential than confirming hundreds of principled constitutionalists to the federal judiciary."

North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis called McConnell "a true legend of the U.S. Senate" and praised his leadership on tax reform, the coronavirus response and support for Ukraine. 

"He has stayed true to President Reagan's principle of peace through strength as a stalwart supporter of NATO and Ukraine's fight for freedom against Russian aggression. I will always be grateful for Mitch's friendship, advice and steadfast leadership of our conference during unprecedented times," Tillis said. "He leaves very big shoes to fill." 

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Others were less kind.

"I called on McConnell to step down over a year ago. This is good news," said Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo. "But why wait so long — we need new leadership now." 

Fox News Digital's Jamie Joseph, Liz Elkind, Julia Johnson and Michael Ruiz, as well as The Associated Press, contributed to this report.