Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) will retire as Senate Republican leader in November, making him the longest-serving Senate leader in history.
AP report Mr. McConnell, who turned 82 last week, was scheduled to announce his decision from the well of the Senate on Wednesday.
“One of the most underrated talents in life is knowing when it’s time to move on to the next chapter of your life,” he said in prepared remarks obtained by The Associated Press. “So I want to stand before you today and tell you that this will be my last term as Senate Republican leader.”
McConnell said he intends to serve out his Senate term, which ends in January 2027, “albeit from a different seat in the chamber.”
Aides said McConnell’s announcement about his leadership position was unrelated to his health, the Associated Press reported.
Exclusive – Donald Trump: Mitch McConnell’s health issue is ‘sad’, he should resign pic.twitter.com/Ibw1JZuPJd
— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) July 30, 2023
The Kentucky senator suffered a concussion in a fall last year, and has had two public appearances where his face froze momentarily during speeches.
As reported by Breitbart News, McConnell went silent during his opening remarks at a regular press conference, according to a video of the disturbing moment.
Colleagues were forced to remove him from the Capitol podium without finishing his remarks.
sea span
Mr. McConnell walked a short distance back to his office, said “I’m fine,” and returned to his press conference.
The departure announcement made no mention of these events.
In prepared remarks released Wednesday, McConnell said, “As I’ve been thinking about when to deliver the news to the Senate, I’ve had moments of complete clarity and peace about the sunset of my work. I always imagined it,” he said.
“This was the moment I became convinced that I had contributed to preserving the ideals that I strongly believe in. It arrived today.”
Even more in the future…
