Senate Republicans Rally Behind Mitch McConnell’s Return, Ignoring Calls for Change
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Mitch McConnell resumed Senate duties on Sept. 14, drawing praise from fellow Republicans as the party clings to outdated leadership ahead of his January retirement.
Mitch McConnell, the 84-year-old Republican leader of the Senate, returned to the chamber on Monday night after a summer of illness that kept him away for most of the session. Despite visible signs of frailty—sitting in a wheelchair with bruised hands—McConnell told reporters it was 'time to get back to work' and to 'finish the job for this Congress.' Yet, as he prepares to leave the Senate in January without announcing a re-election bid, the Republican establishment continues to resist meaningful change.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), another longtime figure who also plans to retire next year, described a brief conversation with McConnell as 'classic Mitch,' highlighting how quickly the leader returned to entrenched topics like preserving the filibuster—a tool often used to block progressive legislation—future leadership, and U.S. aid to Ukraine.
Republican senators expressed relief at his return, with Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) emphasizing that McConnell correctly voted on a farm-bill measure during a committee meeting, saying, 'He voted, and he voted correctly. He was there. He was present. He got it right.' Rand Paul, McConnell’s fellow Kentucky senator, added that he was glad the leader was back and feeling better, further underscoring the party’s reluctance to embrace new leadership or policy directions.
McConnell has been a staunch defender of the Senate filibuster and continued U.S. support for Ukraine, positions that have drawn criticism from both progressives and even President Donald Trump’s campaign. The Senate will remain in session for roughly two more weeks before a recess that extends beyond the November midterm elections, leaving little hope for substantive progress.