Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky made his return to Capitol Hill on Monday after a three-month absence due to health issues. His absence led to questions about his well-being. McConnell arrived at the Senate chamber in a wheelchair to cast his vote on a judicial nomination.
McConnell expressed his anticipation to return to work through a statement, saying, “Today, I’ll cast my first Senate vote since I took a bad fall back in June. I’m looking forward to being back on the Senate floor and seeing my colleagues.”
Before casting his vote, McConnell briefly spoke to reporters, stating that it was time to resume his duties and complete tasks for Congress during the session’s remainder.
McConnell, age 84, had last participated in a vote on June 11. Shortly after, his office revealed that he was hospitalized due to a fall, with emergency services responding to an unconscious person at his residence. The EMS dispatch didn’t identify McConnell by name, fueling speculation about his condition.
Following inquiries into his health, Democratic Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear sought updates, prompting McConnell to issue a statement. He confirmed the hospitalization stemmed from a fall and informed that he had been at a rehabilitation center. McConnell communicated that he was discharged from the rehab center on August 6 to continue healing at home.
This extended absence adds to McConnell’s history of health challenges. As a childhood polio survivor, he endured several health scares recently. In 2023, he was hospitalized with a concussion after falling, and had moments of appearing to freeze while addressing reporters twice. After another fall in 2024, he sustained minor injuries. Earlier this year, he spent over a week in the hospital following flu-like symptoms.
McConnell professed that recovery has been lengthy and challenging, highlighting the impact of his childhood polio. He reassured Senator Thune that he would strive to be present for crucial votes, despite ongoing physical therapy.
McConnell, the longest-serving party leader in Senate history, led the Senate GOP conference from 2007 until retiring from the leadership post after the 2024 elections. He plans to retire early next year, choosing not to pursue another term.
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