Mitch McConnell US Senate Minority Leader announced Wednesday announced that he will step down as Senate Republican leader in November but will remain in the Senate until the end of his term.

“When I was thinking about when I would deliver the news to the Senate, I always envisioned a moment when I would have complete clarity and peace about the twilight of my work,” McConnell said. “This is the moment I knew I had contributed to preserving the ideals in which I strongly believe. Today, that day has arrived.”

McConnell, 82, from Sheffield, Alabama, has played a monumental role in the U.S. Senate for decades.

Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) thanked Leader for his years of service in the Senate and respected his birthright in the Yellowhammer State.

“Today we celebrate and thank one of Alabama's great native sons,” Britt said. “We are extremely grateful for Leader McConnell’s decades of service and leadership for our country.”

“His legacy is unparalleled in the history of the Senate and will outlast his term as leader,” she added. “He has always been a consummate politician and a staunch defender of this venerable institution. I think Leader McConnell said it best: We will ensure that the next leader is the majority leader. The time has come so we can preserve the American Dream for generations to come.”

RELATED: Mitch McConnell: 'Alabama has benefited from Sen. Richard Shelby's dedicated leadership'

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) thanked McConnell for his leadership, but said it was time for him to step down.

“I've learned a lot from Mitch McConnell since I've been here,” Tuberville said Thursday. WVNN. “But after he fell here about a year ago and hit his head on the Italian marble, he hasn't been the same since then… It had to happen. What makes a great leader? , someone who not only knows how to get the job done and is respected, but also someone you can trust and know when to step down.”

The senator said he hopes the next leader will be able to work better with President Donald Trump.

“Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell don't get along. There's no question about that,” he said. “We need Senate leadership to go along with President Trump. Then other senators will get elected. Then Donald Trump will get elected.”

He also believes a change in leadership is needed by November.

“You don't have to wait until November. I'll tell you right now,” he insisted. “We're going to work hard to get someone into that position…We have to have leadership now.”

Yaffee is a contributor to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee