The Republican leader of the US Senate, Mitch McConnell is to stand down in November, AP is reporting.
It ends a record run in the powerful post, that has seen the 82-year-old trade blows with many top figures in multiple US administrations of the last two decades.
In prepared remarks obtained by the news agency, Mr McConnell said: “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… to say that this will be my last term as Republican leader of the Senate.”
Despite relinquishing the position of Senate leader, Mr McConnell intends to see out his term in the US’ upper house, which ends in January 2027.
He was first named Senate leader for the GOP in 2007, and has since won nine successive elections to keep the post for 17 years.
In his prepared remarks, The Kentucky senator also said: “I love the Senate. It has been my life.
Joe Biden faces voter backlash over Israel policy
Ruth Gottesman: The woman freeing thousands of medical students from $200,000 in debt
Texas: Disaster declaration issued and nuclear weapons plant shut down as wildfires spread
“There may be more distinguished members of this body throughout our history, but I doubt there are any with more admiration for it.
“Father Time remains undefeated. I am no longer the young man sitting in the back, hoping colleagues would remember my name. It is time for the next generation of leadership.”
Questions were raised about his fitness for office last year after a number of public instances where he appeared to freeze.
In July, the Republican appeared to freeze mid-sentence and stare into space for around 20 seconds while giving a weekly press conference.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
His Republican colleagues grabbed his elbows and asked if he wanted to go back to his office after pausing for around half a minute, before he slowly walked back to his office with an aide and the senator for Wyoming, John Barrasso.
Then, in August, Mr McConnell appeared to freeze again when asked if he would run for re-election.
After being asked, he stopped speaking and stared for more than 30 seconds, before being asked: “Did you hear the question, senator?”
He did come around and briefly respond to another question.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Those moments came after Mr McConnell was out of the Senate for almost six weeks, after falling and hitting his head at a dinner event that March.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.