At noon on Tuesday, Mitch McConnell will become the longest-serving Senate leader in history, surpassing the record set by Mike Mansfield in 1977. Before the historic moment, McConnell is scheduled to give a speech honoring Mansfield’s legacy and reflecting on the different leadership styles of various Senate leaders.

During his tenure, McConnell has accomplished a variety of legislative feats. Perhaps his most notable success is the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which passed in December 2017. He also played a key role in protecting the Iraq surge, crafting the US’s COVID response, and supporting anti-junta forces in Burma.

Despite his successes, McConnell has also been met with criticism from within and outside the Republican Party. Donald Trump, in particular, has been outspoken about his disapproval, often calling for McConnell’s removal from his position.

More recently, Rick Scott challenged McConnell for the Senate leadership position, furthering the divide between the Republican Party. Many were outraged over McConnell’s support of the omnibus spending bill, which included a $2.3 trillion relief package for the US.

Overall, McConnell has had a long and successful career as Senate leader, and his accomplishments will go down in history. Despite the inevitable criticism and obstacles he has faced, McConnell has persevered, and Tuesday’s milestone will be a testament to that.