Mitch McConnell, born February 20, 1942, in Tuscumbia, Alabama, is a Republican politician who has represented Kentucky in the U.S. Senate since 1985, making him the state's longest-serving senator.[1][2][4] He earned a B.A. from the University of Louisville and a J.D. from the University of Kentucky, entering politics after roles in government service.[2] First elected in 1984 as the only Republican challenger nationwide to unseat an incumbent Democrat, McConnell ascended through Senate Republican ranks.[1][4] He served as majority whip from 2003 to 2007, minority leader from 2007 to 2015 and 2021 to 2025, and majority leader from 2015 to 2021.[1][2][7] In 2023, he became the longest-serving Senate party leader in U.S. history.[1][7] Key achievements include blocking President Barack Obama's 2016 Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland, enabling three conservative justices under President Donald Trump and reshaping the court's balance.[3] As majority leader, he advanced judicial confirmations and oversaw bipartisan COVID-19 relief legislation in 2020.[1] Earlier, he chaired the Senate Ethics Committee in 1995, resisting investigations into a fellow Republican, and opposed Democratic initiatives like Iraq withdrawal timelines, health care reform, gun control, and minimum wage hikes.[2] McConnell announced in February 2024 that he would step down from Senate Republican leadership at the end of his term, citing waning colleague support and health issues, after 17 years as the party's top Senate figure.[1][3] As of 2025, he remains in the Senate, sponsoring resolutions like one on July 31, 2025, and continues influencing proceedings as a senior member.[5] His tenure has defined modern Republican Senate strategy, emphasizing procedural tools like the filibuster.[2]