Washington mdash; Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell announced he s stepping down as the upper chamber s GOP leader after November s elections, ending a 17-year run that made him the longest-serving party leader in Senate history and often the most powerful Republican in Washington.McConnell, who turned 82 last week, announced his decision on the Senate floor on Wednesday. I always imagined a moment when I have total clarity and peace about the sunset of my work. A moment when I m certain I have helped preserve the ideals I so strongly believe, he said. That day arrived today. In emotional remarks, McConnell reflected on his 40 years in the Senate, saying that when he was first elected to the chamber in 1 <a href=https://www.stanley-cup.cz>stanley cup</a> 984 he never could have imagined becomi <a href=https://www.stanley-cups.de>stanley cup</a> ng the longest-serving senator to represent Kentucky in the state s history. To serve Kentucky in the Senate has been the honor of my life, to lead my Republican colleagues has been the highest privilege, he said, before announcing that this would be his last term as the Senate GOP leader. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell walks into the Senate chamber on Feb. 28, 2024. <a href=https://www.cup-stanley.co.uk>stanley cup</a> NATHAN HOWARD / Getty Images President Biden praised McConnell for his career, saying that during the years that they worked together, the two could speak honestly and work to put the country ahead of themselves. Rubb Cousins accused of killing 4 Pennsylvania men escalated from petty crimes
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Schuyler Bailar was a star recruit for the women s swimming team at Harvard University, a tough competitor with a shot at winning titles. But Bailar is opting to forgo such honors to join the men s team instead, competing as the first openly transgender swimmer in the NCAA. It s half terrifying and half exciting, said Bailar, a 19-year-old from McLean, Virginia. I m just kind of embracing it with open arms. Bailar, an incoming freshman, came out as transgender this year after already being recruited for the women s team. Initially he planned to stay on that team but had mixed feelings about it - he wanted to swim, but he also wanted to embrace his identity. <a href=https://www.adidascampus.com.de>adidas campus</a> The Harvard women s <a href=https://www.nike-dunks.de>nike dunk</a> coach saw that Bailar was torn and helped orchestrate another option: In a surprise move, the university offered Bailar a spot on either the men s or women s team. I was blown away, Bailar said. I had no idea how to respond. <a href=https://www.adidas-originals.es>adidas og</a> Transgender celebs you need to know 53 photos On the women s team, Bailar would have been a top athlete. He had hopes of breaking records and winning titles. In the world of men s swimming, though, his times were far behind the best. It took two wrenching months to decide, but he finally droppe