Sen. Mitch McConnell’s health: Here’s what you need to know
Sen. Mitch McConnell remains hospitalized three weeks later. USA TODAY’s Melina Khan reports on what we know and what we don’t know.
Several paramedics responded to Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell’s Washington, D.C., home the morning he was hospitalized last month, according to a new report from CNN.
Video obtained by CNN showed first responders loading an unidentified person into an ambulance on the morning of June 14 outside the Capitol home, listed in records as McConnell’s home.
USA TODAY has reached out to McConnell’s office for comment on CNN’s report, but it has not verified the video.
Audio from an emergency call to McConnell’s home on the morning of June 14, which was reported before the new ambulance video was released, showed someone at the scene unconscious. A few minutes later, another call came in saying someone was in “cardiac arrest.”
Mr. McConnell’s office confirmed that the 84-year-old was hospitalized, but did not say what kind of treatment he was receiving. A lack of information about the Kentucky senator’s condition has fueled speculation and bipartisan calls for more transparency.
New report details video of ambulance outside McConnell’s home
CNN reported that one of McConnell’s neighbors, who the news organization did not name, captured video of the ambulance outside his home.
The video shows paramedics carrying a person on a stretcher towards an ambulance. Although his face could not be seen, his lower legs were covered with an orange blanket, and his feet appeared to be visible.
According to CNN, officials at the scene told nearby residents they were responding to a “medical emergency.”
Neighbors told CNN that two ambulances, a fire truck and Capitol Police officers responded to McConnell’s home and blocked off the entire street. Officers reportedly did not say whether McConnell was the person who caused the emergency, but said they would close the road to anyone who came.
Another neighbor told the person who took the video that he saw McConnell on a stretcher, CNN reported.
Is Mitch McConnell still in the hospital? Click here for the latest information
McConnell was hospitalized on the morning of June 14, his spokesman David Popp confirmed at the time. His office did not provide details about the reason for McConnell’s hospitalization other than to say he was receiving “excellent care.”
In the weeks since, Mr. McConnell’s office has provided few updates to the press. In his latest statements, shared with USA TODAY on July 1 and again on July 7, McConnell said he “continues to improve.”
“Senator McConnell is grateful for the tremendous support he is receiving as he continues his recovery in the hospital,” the statement said.
Two of Mr. McConnell’s Senate colleagues, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota) and Senate Majority Leader John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), said they spoke with Mr. McConnell on July 6 and 7, respectively. Scott Jennings, a commentator and longtime adviser to Mr. McConnell, also said he spoke with the senator on July 7.
Mr. McConnell’s team has faced demands for transparency from both sides. Most recently, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-South Carolina) and Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-Ind.) both compared Mr. McConnell’s situation to former President Joe Biden’s public health concerns.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear also asked for answers in a July 8 letter to McConnell’s office.
Contributor: Zachary Schermele
Melina Khan is USA TODAY’s national trends reporter. X Keep up with her at @melinakh and on Instagram @bymelinakhan.
