Mitch McConnell’s shocking announcement Wednesday afternoon that he would step down as Senate Republican leader after the November election sparked a frenzy within the divided Republican conference to replace him. Happened.
With no clear successor in sight, McConnell announced in a floor speech that he would step down and allow “the next generation of leaders” to take their place in the Senate, but shortly after made his ambitions clear. Some had no hesitation in doing so.
“I turned 82 last week, and the end of my contributions is closer than I had hoped,” McConnell said, his voice breaking at times. “I am deeply grateful and humbled to have been given this opportunity.”
“If you had told me… that I would be standing before you as the longest-serving Senate Majority Leader in American history, I frankly would have thought you had lost your mind,” he added. . “It has been the honor of my life to serve as Kentucky’s senator, and it has been the greatest privilege to lead my Republican colleagues.”
Speculation quickly began that three Johns could be waiting in the wings: John Thune (R-S.C.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.). I have changed my view that there is.
“John” Sen. J.D. Vance (Republican, Ohio) joked to the reporter When asked who he supported, he did not say who he supported.
All three Johns currently serve or have served in key leadership roles within the Senate Republican Party. Mr. Thune is currently Mr. McConnell’s second-in-command in the Senate minority, while Mr. Barrasso chairs the Senate Republican Conference and Mr. Cornyn has served as a member of the Senate majority party since Republicans retaken the chamber in 2014. spent a year.
“I think today is about Mitch McConnell, and I’ve made no secret of my intentions.” Cornyn teases reporters.
Thune, who praised McConnell as a “fierce defender of the Senate,” is technically next in line for the role, but all indications are that he will face stiff competition if he takes the next step. It suggests.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), who supported Mr. McConnell in recent battles over Ukraine funds and U.S. border security, called Mr. McConnell a “true legend” and said his successor has a “huge task ahead.” ‘ will be imposed.
“Under his historic leadership, the Senate secured a conservative majority on the Supreme Court, passed historic tax reform, and delivered bipartisan legislation to save our economy from the brink early in the pandemic,” Tillis said in a statement. “We have enacted this,” he said.
“He has remained true to the peace principles of President Reagan’s strength as a passionate supporter of NATO and Ukraine’s fight for freedom against Russian aggression. I am grateful for Mitch’s friendship, advice, and precedent. We will forever be grateful to him for leading our conference during a difficult time.”
Republican hardliners unite
Not all Senate Republicans are sad that McConnell is preparing to resign. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) hailed the “good news” after the report.
“I asked Mr. McConnell to resign more than a year ago,” he said. Posted in X. “This is good news. But why wait so long? We need new leadership now.”
Seemingly taking aim at the post, Sen. Rick Scott (R-Florida) dropped a chilling statement about his longtime enemy.
“I have been very clear and have long believed that we need new leadership in the Senate that represents the voters and the issues we were sent here to fight,” Scott said in a statement to McConnell. said in a statement that contained no respect.
“This is an opportunity to refocus on solving the critical challenges facing our country and really reflect the aspirations of our constituents.”
After the 2022 midterm elections, Scott planned to run McConnell as Senate Republican leader, but he could only muster 10 votes to the incumbent’s 37, with one abstention.
McConnell has served in the Senate since the Reagan administration, but has found himself increasingly at odds with some members of the chamber since former President Donald Trump’s victory reshuffled the Republican Party.
McConnell, who is famously tight-lipped, is not believed to have spoken to Trump in nearly three years. The octogenarian has criticized President Trump’s actions before and after the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, with the former president sporadically making racist comments toward his wife, former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. He was saying such words.
Unlike most other Republican leaders in Congress, Mr. McConnell has declined to publicly support Mr. Trump this term.
rumors of rebellion
“There is a revolt in the Republican conference over Mr. McConnell’s disorganized leadership and abandonment of the border security fight at the height of his popularity,” a Senate staffer told the Post on Wednesday.
Referring to the number of senators needed to push through a motion of no confidence in the party leader, the source said, “Even moderates are growing dissatisfied, and 25 votes is a realistic possibility.” ” he added. “He was on the verge of being fired.”
Mr. McConnell has repeatedly pushed back against hardliners in his caucus and led the Senate Republican conference in a markedly different direction than House Republicans.
For example, he has been a staunch supporter of aid for Ukraine, backing a sweeping border deal that Republicans rejected earlier this month and enraging House members ahead of a Republican takeover of Ukraine’s government in 2022. He helped pass the $700 billion omnibus spending bill. lower chamber.
“It’s no secret that the hard-line right wing of the caucus is unhappy with the way he’s been doing things for some time now,” another Republican aide complained, adding: He is the clear frontrunner to replace him.”
Trump’s allies are also keen to replace McConnell with someone with closer ties to the 45th president.
“I think there are people in the Senate right now, like J.D. Vance, who actually want to call things like ‘the club.’ I think that’s very important,” Donald Trump said. Junior spoke to reporters Friday ahead of South Carolina’s Republican primary.
playing cards He himself had doubts The question is whether they can cooperate with McConnell if he wins the November 5 presidential election.
The dramatic shift in Republican Senate leadership comes as Republicans look at a highly favorable map as they seek to regain control of the Senate after four years out of power.
Democrats are defending 23 seats, including three held by independents, while Republicans only need to defend 11 seats in favorable races.
Who is McConnell? the longest working He is the first leader in Senate history to become chairman of the Republican conference in 2007, replacing Bill Frist of Tennessee.
He has indicated his intention to serve out his current term, which ends in January 2027.
