Mitch McConnell steps down as longest-serving Senate leader after health struggles

Mitch McConnell, the longest-serving Senate leader in US history, has stepped aside from his leadership role. The 84-year-old Republican will complete his final term, which ends in January. His decision comes after a series of health incidents in recent years. McConnell first entered the Senate in 1984. He led the Republican caucus from 2007 to 2022, serving as both majority and minority leader during his tenure.

His health has been a recurring concern. In March 2023, he was hospitalised with a concussion after a fall at a Washington hotel. In 2019, he fractured his shoulder in a fall at his Kentucky home. More recently, in December 2024, he sprained his wrist after falling at a GOP luncheon. A spokesman confirmed he is now receiving excellent care following his latest hospital admission.

McConnell has lived with the effects of childhood polio. The condition has left him with long-term mobility issues, including difficulty walking and climbing stairs. The senator’s departure from leadership marks the end of an era. His tenure spanned over a decade and a half at the helm of Senate Republicans. He will remain in office until his term concludes early next year.