Mitch McConnell will step down as the Senate's Republican leader in November, ending an almost 18-year tenure in one of the nation's most influential political positions.
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00:00 The Republican leader?
00:02 As some of you may know, this has been a particularly difficult time for my family.
00:12 We tragically lost Elaine's younger sister, Angela, just a few weeks ago.
00:19 When you lose a loved one, particularly at a young age,
00:27 there's a certain introspection that accompanies the grieving process.
00:32 Perhaps it is God's way of reminding you of your own life's journey
00:39 to reprioritize the impact of the world that we will all inevitably leave behind.
00:50 I'm now 82.
00:53 As Ecclesiastes tells us, "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven."
01:04 To serve Kentucky in the Senate has been the honor of my life.
01:09 To lead my Republican colleagues has been the highest privilege.
01:18 But one of life's most underappreciated talents is to know when it's time to move on to life's next chapter.
01:29 So I stand before you today, Mr. President, and my colleagues,
01:34 to say this will be my last term as Republican leader of the Senate.
01:39 I'm not going anywhere anytime soon.
01:45 However, I'll complete my job my colleagues have given me
01:49 until we select a new leader in November, and they take the helm next January.
01:57 I'll finish the job the people of Kentucky hired me to do as well, albeit from a different seat.
02:06 And I'm actually looking forward to that.
02:12 So it's time for me to think about another season.
02:17 I've loved the Senate. It's been my life.
02:22 There may be more distinguished members of this body throughout our history,
02:27 but I doubt there were any with any more admiration for the Senate.
02:32 I'm not going anywhere anytime soon.
02:35 There are many challenges we must meet to deliver for the American people,
02:41 and each will have my full effort and attention.
02:45 I still have enough gas in my tank to thoroughly disappoint my critics,
02:51 and I intend to do so with all the enthusiasm with which they've become accustomed.
02:58 So to my colleagues, thank you for entrusting me with our success.
03:06 It's been an honor to work with each of you.
03:10 There'll be plenty of time to express my gratitude in greater detail
03:15 as I sprint towards the finish line, which is now in sight.
03:22 I yield the floor.
03:26 [Applause]