here is the announcement he gave from the senate floor. sen. mcconnell: as some of you may know, this has been a particularly difficult time for my family. we tragically lost elaine's younger siste angela just a few weeks ago. when you lose a loved one, particularly at a young age, there's a certain introspection that accompanies the grieving process. perhaps it is god's way of reminding you of your own life's journey to prioritize the impact of the world that we will all inevitably leavei turned 82 las

the end of my contributions are closer than i'd prefer. my career in the united states senate began amidst the reagan revolution. the truth is, when i got here i was just happy if anybody remembered my name. president reagan called me mitc my wife elaine and i got married on president reagan's birthday, february 6. it's probably hot the -- 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'm eternally grateful to have her by my side.

i think back to my first days in the senateith deep appreciation for the time that helped shape my view of the world. i'nconflicted about the goodwyn oush country and -- the good withisin -- with our country -- with in our country. that's 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 i have many faults. m 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 shinning city on a hill that

for as long as i draw breath on this earth, i will defend america's exceptionalism. when i was 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'm certain iave helped preserve the ideals i so strongly believe. that day a 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 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 yearlater that i would stand before you as the longest-serving senate leader in american history, frankly, i would have thought you lost your mind. i have the honor of representing kentucky and the senate longer than anyone else in our s history. i just never could have imagined -- never could have imagined that happening when i in 1984 at 42. i'm filled with gratitude and humility for the opportunity. but now it's 2024. i'm now 82. as acleastcs tells us, there's a time for every season and a time

for every purpose under hech. so serve kentucky has been an honor of my life, and to lead my republican colleagues has been the highest privilege. but one of life's most under appreciated talents is tow when it's 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'm not going anywhere any time soon. however, i will complete my job my colleagues have given má until we select a new leader in november and they take the helm next january. i' people of kentucky hired me to do as well.

albeit from a different seat, and i'm actually looking forward to that. so it's time for me to think about another season. i love the senate. it's been my life. there may be more distingui bod our history, but i doubt there were any with any 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 but father time remains undefeated. i'm no longer the young man sitting in the back hoping

colleagues would remember my name. 's 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 thested but for posterity, unlimited, undefined, endless, perpetual posterity. so as time rolls on, there will be a new cuss stowedian -- cuss soedian next year, i intend to turn it over to a republican majority leader, i have full replacement and -- choosing my replacement

and lead our country forward. there will be other times t reminisce. i'm immensely proud of some ro have had for the american people. today is not the day to discuss that, because as i said earlier, i'm not going anywhere any time soon. there are many challenges we must meet to deliver for the american people, and each will have my full 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've become accustomed. so to my colleagues, thank you for entrusting me with our success. it's been an honor to work with each of there will be plenty of time to express my gratitude in greater detail as i sprint towards the

finish line which is now in sight. i yield the floor. 9