By JACK DOBBS, Bowling Green Daily News

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., spoke on past accomplishments, this year’s senate and presidential elections and upcoming priorities Tuesday during a Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon in the Harbaugh Club at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium.

McConnell was welcomed by chamber President and CEO Ron Bunch, who said McConnell has been a friend of Bowling Green for years.

“You’re a friend of the chamber, the business community and the commonwealth, and I want to thank you for your leadership and your huge commitment to Kentucky,” Bunch told McConnell.

McConnell shared the stage with former Bowling Green Mayor Johnny Webb, who interviewed him on his achievements in the Senate over his multi-decade career.

He said during his time as leader of Senate Republicans, the most important action he oversaw was the 6-3 overturning of the Chevron deference by the U.S. Supreme Court.

“This court has completely reversed that,” McConnell said. “I would say that’s far and away the most important, most consequential thing I’ve done during my time as leader.”

The Chevron deference gave government agencies the ability to interpret laws and was used on such issues as food safety and environmental regulations.

For much of his career in Washington, McConnell said there has been a “divided government,” where no party controls all aspects of government. He believes the American people “like it that way.”

“What that is, is a message that we’re not in love with either side,” McConnell said. “We know you have your differences, but in my opinion, they are also saying, work on things you actually can agree on.”

He used the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act as an example of this and cited bipartisan efforts on the long-awaited replacement for the Brent Spence Bridge in Covington.

“It’s going to be built, and there are no tolls (on the future bridge),” McConnell said. “And it would not have happened, according to (President) Joe Biden, if I hadn’t gotten involved in it.”

McConnell spoke on the presidential election, saying “who knows who’s going to win” between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. However, he is optimistic about the chances of increasing Republicans in the Senate.

“Right now. We’re 51-49,” McConnell said. “We need one more seat so that my successor is the Majority Leader and not the Minority Leader. I’ve been both, the majority is better.”

McConnell was first elected to the Senate in 1984. In February, he announced he would step down as Senate Republican leader in November, a position he has held since 2007.

He stated Tuesday while he is leaving a leadership role, he will remain a senator, similar to former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi who stepped down as speaker but retained her position as a representative.

“I think Pelosi has done a pretty good job as a former speaker, still being able to express herself and have an audience,” McConnell said. “I’m hopeful people will still care what I think.”