WASHINGTON (WV News) — U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito and Joe Manchin have each thanked Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell for his years of service.
McConnell, the longest-serving Senate leader of either party, announced in a speech to colleagues Wednesday that he plans to step down from his leadership position in November
“One of life’s most underappreciated talents is to know when it’s time to move on to life’s next chapter,” McConnell said. “So I stand before you today ... to say that this will be my last term as Republican leader of the Senate.”
Capito, speaking during her weekly media call Thursday, talked about her relationship with the senator from “neighboring Kentucky.”
“I worked closely with Sen. McConnell and have great respect for him and his respect for the institution,” Capito said.
“He gave, I thought, a very meaningful statement that you have to recognize when it’s time to move on. He wants to still be effective, and he will serve out his term,” she said.
Capito said she’s “deeply grateful” for McConnell’s leadership.
“It’s been a privilege for me to serve under him and work hand-in-hand on issues that are important to West Virginia and Kentucky,” she said.
Manchin issued a statement thanking McConnell for his “nearly two decades of service.”
“I have always admired his knowledge and respect for this institution and his courage to protect the very essence of the Senate,” Manchin said. “Sen. Robert C. Byrd, whose seat I now hold, once said: ‘No president makes me. No president elects me. No president can send me home.’”
McConnell was criticized for refusing to eliminate the filibuster, but “he never wavered and he never backed down,” Manchin said.
“Our democracy and our country are stronger because of his principled leadership, and I hope the next Republican leader will follow his example,” Manchin said.