WASHINGTON – Sen. Mitch McConnell announced on Aug. 6 that he was discharged from a rehabilitation center, 53 days after the former Republican majority leader was rushed to a hospital. This extended absence began on June 14 following a fall and a pneumonia diagnosis, sparking significant speculation regarding his health and future in office.
The Kentucky senator, in a statement issued by his Senate office, confirmed he plans to continue his recovery at home. “Elaine and I are grateful for the many well wishes and support from friends, colleagues, and Kentuckians, and for the attentive care I’ve received from excellent doctors, nurses, therapists, and hospital staff,” McConnell said. His statement included a photo of the senator alongside his wife, Elaine Chao, the former transportation secretary, in a medical facility.
Throughout his absence, McConnell’s office released few details about his recovery, a move that prompted widespread criticism from Democrats and even some members of his own party. McConnell initially broke his public silence on July 12, revealing that his hospitalization followed a fall that left him briefly unconscious. He later noted in a July 27 statement that he remained in “intense physical therapy” and would be forced to miss Kentucky’s annual Fancy Farm picnic, one of the state’s most prominent political events.
Regarding his ongoing recovery, the 84-year-old senator stated, “On the advice of my doctors, I’ll maintain an intensive regimen of physical therapy from home during the state work period, and I’ll continue to engage with my staff and colleagues on important Senate business.” McConnell did not specify whether he would be returning to his residence in Kentucky or Washington, D.C., to complete this recovery process.
McConnell, who previously opted against running for reelection in November for an eighth term, is set to conclude a 41-year career in the Senate on Jan. 3, 2027. Under a change to Kentucky law passed by Republican lawmakers in 2024, a special election would be required to fill his seat if he were unable to finish his current term. This represents a shift from previous statutes, which had granted Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, the authority to appoint a successor to fill a U.S. Senate vacancy.
McConnell has not appeared in the Senate since being hospitalized on June 14 after a fall and pneumonia diagnosis.
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