McConnell announces retirement after 40 years in the Senate

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced his retirement and indicated that he would not seek another term of office after 40 years serving in the Senate. As the longest serving party leader, he was elected to serve as head of the chamber’s conference nine times from 2006 until he decided against seeking another term in that role this year. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota won a contested race to succeed him as Republican Leader and began serving in that capacity at the start of this Congress in early January. (For prior coverage, see Tax News & Views, Vol. 25, No. 30, Nov. 15, 2024.)

“Senator McConnell’s legacy is one of remarkable service to the Senate, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and our nation,” said Leader Thune. “Over decades of tireless work, his mastery of Senate procedure, commitment to the institution, and dedication to the rule of law have shaped the course of American governance for generations to come. His leadership has strengthened the Senate’s role as a deliberative body and delivered historic achievements, from advancing the judiciary to championing Kentucky’s interests. Senator McConnell’s contributions will remain a lasting reflection of his steady vision, determination, and service to the country he loves.”

McConnell was instrumental in guiding President Trump’s signature tax legislation, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (P.L. 115-97), through the Senate. The soon-to-expire tax provisions of the TCJA are this year’s focus of the GOPs sweeping tax overhaul.

Leaving with optimism, he stated that “this chamber is still the haven where the political minority can require a debate. It is still the crucible in which jurists are tested for their fidelity to upholding the Constitution and laws as they were written. The Senate is still equipped for work of great consequence…”

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