[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 28, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1024-S1025]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                      Senate Republican Leadership

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, as some of you may know, this has been 
a particularly difficult time for my family. We tragically lost 
Elaine's younger sister, Angela, just a few weeks ago.
  When you lose a loved one, particularly at a young age, there is a 
certain introspection that accompanies the grieving process. Perhaps it 
is God's way of reminding you of your own life's journey to 
reprioritize the impact on the world that we will all inevitably leave 
behind.
  I turned 82 last week. The end of my contributions is closer than I 
would prefer.
  My career in the U.S. Senate began amidst the Reagan revolution. The 
truth is, when I got here, I was just happy if anybody remembered my

[[Page S1025]]

name. President Reagan called me Mitch O'Donnell. Close enough, I 
thought.
  My wife Elaine and I got married on President Reagan's birthday, 
February 6. It is probably not the most romantic thing to admit, but 
Reagan meant a lot to both of us. For 31 years, Elaine has been the 
love of my life, and I am eternally grateful to have her by my side.
  I think back to my first days in the Senate with deep appreciation 
for the time that helped shape my view of the world. I am unconflicted 
about the good within our country and the irreplaceable role we play as 
the leader of the free world. That is why I worked so hard to get the 
national security package passed earlier this month.
  Believe me, I know the politics within my party at this particular 
moment in time. I have many faults. Misunderstanding politics is not 
one of them.
  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.
  So, as I have been thinking about when I would deliver some news to 
the Senate, I always imagined a moment when I had total clarity and 
peace about the sunset of my work, a moment when I am certain I have 
helped preserve the ideals I so strongly believe. That day arrived 
today.
  My goals when I was narrowly elected to the Senate in 1984 were 
fairly modest: Do a good job for the people of Kentucky and convince 
them that, by doing so, they might rehire me for a second term. That 
was it. That was the plan. If you would have told me, 40 years later, 
that I would stand before you as the longest serving Senate leader in 
American history, frankly, I would have thought you had lost your mind.
  I have the honor of representing Kentucky in the Senate longer than 
anyone else in our State's history. I just never could have imagined--
never could have imagined--that happening when I arrived here in 1984 
at 42. I am filled with heartfelt gratitude and humility for the 
opportunity.
  But now it is 2024. I am now 82. As Ecclesiastes tells us, ``To 
everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under 
Heaven.''
  To serve Kentucky in the Senate has been the honor of my life. To 
lead my Republican colleagues has been the highest privilege. But one 
of life's most underappreciated talents is to know when it is time to 
move on to life's next chapter.
  So I stand before you today, Mr. President and my colleagues, to say 
this will be my last term as Republican leader of the Senate. I am not 
going anywhere any time soon. However, I will complete the job my 
colleagues have given me until we select a new leader in November and 
they take the helm next January. I will finish the job the people of 
Kentucky hired me to do, as well, albeit from a different seat. And I 
am actually looking forward to that.
  So it is time for me to think about another season.
  I love the Senate. It has been my life. There may be more 
distinguished Members of this body throughout our history, but I doubt 
there were any with more admiration for the Senate. After all this 
time, I still get a thrill walking into the Capitol and especially on 
this venerable floor, knowing that we--each of us--have the honor to 
represent our States and do the important work of our country.
  But Father Time remains undefeated. I am no longer the young man 
sitting in the back, hoping colleagues would remember my name. It is 
time for the next generation of leadership.
  As Henry Clay said in this very body in 1850, ``The Constitution of 
the United States was not made merely for the generation that then 
existed, but for posterity--unlimited, undefined, endless, perpetual 
posterity.''
  So time rolls on. There will be a new custodian of this great 
institution next year. It won't surprise you to know I intend to turn 
this job over to a Republican majority leader. I have full confidence 
in my conference to choose my replacement and lead our country forward.
  There will be other times to reminisce. I am immensely proud of the 
accomplishments I have played some role in obtaining for the American 
people. Today is not the day to discuss all of that because, as I said 
earlier, I am not going anywhere anytime soon.
  There are many challenges we must meet to deliver for the American 
people, and each will have my full effort and attention.
  I still have enough gas in my tank to thoroughly disappoint my 
critics, and I intend to do so with all the enthusiasm with which they 
have become accustomed.
  So to my colleagues, thank you for entrusting me with our success. It 
has been an honor to work with each of you. There will be plenty of 
time to express my gratitude in greater detail as I sprint toward the 
finish line, which is now in sight.
  I yield the floor.
  (Applause, Senators rising.)
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Maine.
  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I just want to very briefly recognize my 
good friend, the Republican leader, for his extraordinary service, not 
only to our caucus but, more important, to the Senate as an institution 
and to our country.
  His tenure as leader will be remembered, not just for its historic 
longevity but also for his unparalleled devotion to this great 
institution, which he has always defended.
  I also admire the leader for stepping forward when it wasn't popular 
to do the right thing for our country and for our world.
  There will be plenty of time for all of us to honor him in more 
detail as time goes on, but I felt compelled to speak today to thank 
him--to thank him--for devoting his life to public service for all the 
right reasons: to improve the lives of the people living in our great 
country.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Alabama.