US Senator Mitch McConnell, Kentucky's longest serving U.S. senator and the longest serving Senate leader in history, says he will step down as Senate minority leader in November.

He says he will remain in the Senate at least until his current term ends in January of 2027.

Here are some of Senator McConnell's remarks on the Senate floor this afternoon.

One of life's most underappreciated talents is to know when it's time to move on to life's next chapter.

So I stand before you today, Mr. President, and my colleagues, to say this will be my last term Republican leader of the Senate.

I'm not going anywhere any time soon.

However, I'll complete my job.

My colleagues have given me until we select a new leader in November and they take the extremely word, I'll finish the job the people of Kentucky hired me to do as well, albeit from a different seat, and I'm actually looking forward to.

So it's kind of for me to think about another season.

I love the Senate.

My life.

There may be more distinguished members of this body throughout our history, but I doubt there were any with any more admiration for the Senate.

Senator McConnell says his health was not a factor in this decision.

McConnell just turned 82 years old.

There was recent criticism of him from other Senate Republicans when he reached a compromise deal with Democrats on border security.

And he acknowledged today there is disagreement among Republicans on foreign policy, including aid to Ukraine.

More on Senator McConnell's decision to step down as Senate minority leader as we talk to NPR's Ryland Barton in just a few minutes.