The 84-year-old lawmaker was first hospitalized after a fall at home on June 14 and was subsequently treated for pneumonia. He hasn’t cast a vote since.
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.
WASHINGTON – Six weeks after Sen. Mitch McConnell was first hospitalized with a fall and pneumonia, doctors have not yet medically cleared him to return to work or leave a rehabilitation facility, his office said.
Since June, the Kentucky Republican’s health has been a source of widespread speculation and interest. He has missed 38 Senate roll call votes, including on major policies such as the annual defense policy bill and ending the Iran war, as well as high-profile confirmation hearings for key Trump nominees like Todd Branch, who is awaiting a vote to become the next attorney general.
Throughout the summer, his office provided limited updates on his condition. But in a new statement on July 27, McConnell, 84, said he was still undergoing “intensive physical therapy” and would not be able to travel to western Kentucky for the state’s biggest political event, the annual Fancy Farm Picnic.
“As always, thank you for your continued well-being and look forward to returning to the Senate and the state of Kentucky soon,” he said.
The Office of the Attending Physician, which provides medical services and guidance to members of Congress, said the lifelong effects of McConnell’s childhood polio continued to be a “key factor in his move.” A doctor visits him every day.
“Since being discharged from the hospital, he has continued rigorous physical therapy and rehabilitation, including multiple sessions per day, designed to regain strength and reduce the risk of future falls,” the office said in a statement.
McConnell also released a new photo of himself and his wife, Elaine Chao, dated July 26. Although his Senate colleagues say they spoke by phone several times during his long absence, the former majority leader has not spoken publicly about himself since leaving office. He has not responded to external interviews.
His office has not given a tentative date for when he could return to his Senate duties, but the Senate is scheduled to go into a month-long recess on Aug. 7, two weeks from now.
Zachary Schermele is USA TODAY’s Congressional Correspondent. You can email us at zschermele@usatoday.com. Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele and on Bluesky at @zachschermele.bsky.social..
