WASHINGTON – Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell announced that he is stepping down as Senate minority leader on Wednesday.

McConnell is the longest-serving Senate leader in history, holding the position for nearly two decades.

McConnell, who celebrated his 82nd birthday last week, says he plans to serve out his Senate term, which ends in January 2027. A spokesperson for McConnell says his decision to step aside as minority leader is unrelated to recent health issues. McConnell suffered a concussion last year and has had two public episodes where he briefly froze while speaking.