McConnell, fierce opponent of climate rules, to retire

By Timothy Cama | 02/20/2025 01:40 PM EST

The Kentucky Republican stepped down last year as his party’s leader in the Senate.

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has expressed pride in working against federal regulations. J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Kentucky Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell, the former majority leader, will not run for another term next year.

McConnell, 83, announced his planned departure in a speech Thursday to coincide with his birthday. The senator, who has focused on cutting regulations and protecting his state’s coal industry, is currently serving his seventh term.

The decision came as little surprise. McConnell last year stepped down as the GOP’s Senate leader, and has been battling medical issues in recent years.

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By the time he steps down in January 2027, he will have served 42 years in the Senate and 18 years in public service before that.

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