By Jennifer Odell
4:30pm PST, Mar 4, 2024
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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell will step down from his post as the top Senate Republican in November, he announced on Wednesday, Feb. 28. The Kentucky lawmaker has served as his party's leader since 2007, making him the longest-serving Senate leader in history.
"One of life's most underappreciated talents is to know when it's time to move on to life's next chapter. So I stand before you today … to say that this will be my last term as Republican leader of the Senate," he said, adding that "it's time for the next generation of leadership."
McConnell, 82, said he'll serve out his Senate term, which ends in January 2027, "albeit from a different seat in the chamber," according to The Associated Press.
"I still have enough gas in my tank to thoroughly disappoint my critics and I intend to so," he joked.
McConnell shared the news from the Senate floor amid growing tension over national security and foreign policy matters and the party's increasing alignment with Donald Trump, all of which have exacerbated rifts within a historically fractured GOP.
The senator, who again pushed for passage of the Senate's foreign aid package this week in a meeting at the White House, has often clashed with Trump and his supporters on matters including aid for Ukraine and the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
"Believe me, I know the politics within my party at this particular time. I have many faults. Misunderstanding politics is not one of them," McConnell continued.
Keep reading for more details …
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"That said, I believe more strongly than ever that America's global leadership is essential to preserving the shining city on a hill that Ronald Reagan discussed. For as long as I am drawing breath on this earth I will defend American exceptionalism," said Mitch McConnell.
McConnell also acknowledged the death of his sister-in-law left him thinking more seriously about his future. Admitting that "there's a certain introspection that accompanies the grieving process," he mused it could be "God's way of reminding you of your own life's journey to prioritize the impact of the world that we will all inevitably leave behind."
McConnell's announcement triggered a wave of reactions from politicians, journalists, celebrities and other leading voices.
Keep reading to see the best responses so far …
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Following Mitch McConnell's remarks, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York was reportedly among the first to approach his colleague and shake his hand.
"During my years in the Senate, Mitch McConnell and I rarely saw eye to eye when it came to our politics or our policy preferences," Schumer said in a statement.
"But I am very proud that we both came together in the last few years to lead the Senate forward at critical moments when our country needed us, like passing the CARES Act in the early days of the COVID pandemic, finishing our work to certify the election on January 6th, and more recently working together to fund the fight for Ukraine."
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"Mitch McConnell stacked the Court, undermined our democracy, and enabled Donald Trump. And yet – in his absence – the @SenateGOP will invariably select someone more extreme." –Rep. Adam Schiff, a Democrat, on X
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"Mitch McConnell rose from humble beginnings overcoming polio to become one of the most consequential Senate Leaders in history. He started his Senate career as a legislative aide and ended up in charge of the upper chamber," House Speaker Mike Johnson wrote on X.
"No Member of Congress has played a greater role in reshaping the federal judiciary than Mitch," the Louisiana Republican continued. "I join my colleagues in saluting his historic contributions to the Republican Party and to the Congress. His legacy will endure for generations."
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"I respect Sen. McConnell's decision. Serving at that level for that long is not easy. He did many good things, but he is right that we do need a new generation, not just in Congress but also in the White House." –Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley on X
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"Trump has almost completely destroyed the Republican party. Mitch McConnell is letting you know that it will be an unmitigated bloodbath in November for the GOP." –Donald Trump's former White House Director of Communications, Anthony Scaramucci, on X
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"American Democracy is based on elected representatives coming together and bridging their different points of view to find common ground on behalf of the American people," President Joe Biden said in a statement.
"I'm proud that my friend Mitch McConnell and I have been able to do that for many years, working together in good faith even though we have many political disagreements.
"During his many years of leadership, we could always speak with each other honestly and put the country ahead of ourselves.
"America is now being rebuilt by the biggest infrastructure law in nearly 70 years. We're making critical investments so our economy can outcompete China. We're standing up for our values and our most urgent national security interests in the world because of it. America is making tremendous strides towards curing cancer.
"There is nothing America cannot do when we do it together."
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"It is probably the case that on his way toward retirement, he's going to work as hard as he can to make sure that the national security bill gets over the finish line in the House and the Senate to President Biden's desk," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told The New York Times in an interview published after Mitch McConnell's announcement.
He was referring to the Senate's new foreign aid package, which includes assistance for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.
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Sharing a link to NBC News' coverage of Mitch McConnell's announcement that he'll step down, Maria Shriver wrote on X, "Smart!"
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"Sen. Mitch McConnell's legacy will be that he purposefully undermined America's first Black president, he broke the Supreme Court, he helped elect a fascist President, and he abetted up an insurrection on American soil." –Moms Demand Action founder Shannon Watts on X
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"I called on McConnell to step down over a year ago. This is good news. But why wait so long — we need new leadership now." –Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, a Republican, wrote on X
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"Mitch McConnell has been the most successful Confederate since John C. Calhoun. Congratulations to him and his people in their service of evil." –journalist and author Elie Mystal on X
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Dubbed Mitch McConnell's "loyal number two" by the Texas Tribune, Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas is among those expected to announce a bid for McConnell's leadership role. Asked "about his plans" on Feb. 28, he told the outlet, "I think today is about Mitch McConnell, but I've made no secret of my intentions."
Cornyn also shared a lengthy statement about McConnell's retirement on X.
"As the longest serving Senate leader in American history, Mitch McConnell has made an indelible mark on this institution and the Republican Party," he wrote in part.
"Most importantly, Leader McConnell protected the Senate's essential role under the Constitution. He cares deeply about the rules and traditions of this body – ones that have worked in the past and will continue to work so long as we let them. Our friend from Kentucky is a rare example of what a public servant should be: pragmatic, knowledgeable, humble, and effective. He has led the Senate through difficult periods, and I am grateful for his dedicated service to our country and this institution."
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Mitch McConnell is "a true legend of the U.S. Senate," Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina wrote on X.
"Under his historic leadership, the Senate secured a conservative majority on the Supreme Court, passed historic tax reform, and enacted bipartisan legislation to save our economy from the brink at the start of the pandemic. 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. He leaves very big shoes to fill," he continued.
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"No senator in memory has demonstrated more respect for the institution of the Senate than @LeaderMcConnell. … Leader McConnell has been steadfast in his defense of conservative values, promoting a conservative judiciary, invigorating economic growth, insisting on America's defense of freedom, and protecting the rights of all Americans." — Republican Sen. Mitt Romney on X
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"Senator McConnell will be remembered as one of the most effective leaders in the history of the U.S. Senate," Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham wrote in one of multiple posts on X.
"No one in the Republican Party has echoed the themes of peace through strength – the Reagan model of national security – better than Senator Mitch McConnell," he added in another post. "He passionately believes in a strong America leading from the front and has been uncompromising in his view that we must deal with threats rather than wish them away."
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"I respect his judgment," Republican Sen. Ted Cruz said following McConnell's announcement, according to The New York Times. "He's had a long and honorable tenure as Republican leader and he made the personal decision that it was time to move on."
