By Michael Tackett -
The Associated Press
Republican Senator Mitch McConnell, the congressman who has served as his party's Senate leader the longest in history, will leave his post in November.
McConnell turned 82 last week.
The Republican senator from Kentucky, who has been leader of the Republican Party in Congress since 2007, made his announcement during a speech on the Senate floor on Wednesday.
Elections will be held in November to replace him as leader.
“As I considered when to offer some updates to the Senate, I always envisioned a time when I would have complete clarity and peace about the decline of my work,” McConnell said.
“That day came today.”
Mitch McConnell has been leader of the Republican Party in Congress since 2007.J.
Scott Applewhite/AP
McConnell is considered a brilliant political strategist and
one of the most influential lawmakers in Washington
.
During Donald Trump's presidency, he helped enact a sweeping $1.5 trillion tax package in 2017, which cut corporate rates, gave new benefits to private businesses and transformed tax codes for individuals.
He also propelled three conservative Supreme Court nominees — Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett — through the Senate confirmation process, helping to reshape the American judiciary and society.