Senator Mike Mansfield of Montana had previously held the record.
At the official swearing-in of the Senate on Tuesday, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky became the longest serving Senate leader.
Senator McConnell paid tribute to former Senator Mike Mansfield, who had been the prior leader in longevity with 16 years. “This scholarly Montanan was not an exciting idealist who transformed our national discourse, nor a policy entrepreneur who brought to the leader’s role his own sweeping wish list of federal programs,” Senator McConnell said. “Mansfield made a huge impact through a different road: by viewing the role of leader as serving others.”
“Mansfield was a canny strategist who knew how to rally his conference. He knew when to go to battle, and when to coordinate with his counterpart Everett Dirksen,” Senator McConnell said. “In short, he knew how to work the Senate.”
In congratulating McConnell, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said, “We have a lot of work ahead of us, so I hope we can find some ways to come together and not succumb to gridlock. For the good of this chamber and for the good of our country.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Senator McConnell as he continues his tenure as the minority party leader in the U.S. Senate.
- For the new and reelected members of Congress to seek God’s guidance for the nation.
- For the president and his Cabinet members as they promote the administration’s legislative agenda.
Sources: Politico, Washington Times
