Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Thursday reiterated his pledge to continue to fight the health care law, saying during his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference that the GOP would not stop until it is repealed.

The Kentucky Republican’s speech focused entirely on the opposition to the bill and the Republican effort to repeal it in the House and the Senate — a popular topic at the yearly gathering of conservatives. 

McConnell warned attendees that the battle could be long, but if they stuck to their principles, they would prevail.

“Keep fighting,” he said. “And as we move into the next phase of the battle, my message hasn’t changed any more than our principles.”

Earlier this month, the Senate voted on partisan lines to reject a Republican-backed effort to repeal to law.

Regardless of the outcome of the vote, McConnell assured the attendees that they would not relent,

“The Democrats may want to put this bill behind them,” he said. “I assure you, it’s still very much ahead of them.”

McConnell also addressed the retirement of the Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl, calling the Arizona Republican “my friend, my right hand.”

Kyl announced Thursday morning that he would not seek another term in 2012.