Will Mitch McConnell return to the US Senate next week after health problems? What the Republican Leader’s Office Revealed | Today’s news
Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell was hospitalized on June 14 after suffering a fall, according to his office. He later spent time in a rehab facility before being released in August to recover at home.
The US Senate is set to resume on Monday after a five-week recess, but it remains uncertain whether McConnell will return to the Capitol after being away for about three months due to health issues. His office did not give a specific date for his return, according to CNN.
The outgoing senator has yet to confirm whether he will return to the Capitol next week to attend Senate proceedings.
Speculation about Mitch McConnell’s possible return increased after House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer of Kentucky said last week that the senator’s staff hoped he would return when the Senate resumes.
Comer said he hasn’t spoken to McConnell himself, but remains in regular contact with his staff because their offices often coordinate matters involving Kentucky.
Asked if he expected McConnell to return, Comer said, “I expect so. I sure hope so.”
“I haven’t talked to Leader McConnell. I’ve talked to his staff, many of whom are originally from my district. And they’ve all said it’s their goal to have Senator McConnell here when the Senate comes,” Comer said.
McConnell spokeswoman Stephanie Penn said there were “no planning announcements at this time,” according to CNN, which contacted the senator’s office last week to respond to Comer’s remarks.
What happened in July?
In July, after weeks of uncertainty surrounding his health, McConnell revealed he had been hospitalized after suffering a fall. He said he was “unconscious for a short time and was taken to hospital” and later developed pneumonia during treatment. “Although I have received excellent care over the past few weeks, I have also had to deal with a mild case of pneumonia.
McConnell also addressed why details of his hospitalization were not made public earlier, saying that like many of his generation, he was reluctant to discuss the vulnerabilities of aging.
“You all know how people of my generation often hesitate to share the vulnerability that comes with aging. Even in public, I feel the same instinct – I can’t help it,” he said.
The senator subsequently moved to a rehabilitation facility to regain strength.
“I will continue to discuss important Senate matters with my staff and colleagues”
McConnell said he will follow the advice of his doctors and undergo an intensive physical therapy program at home during his state Senate term. He added that he will stay in touch with his staff and colleagues and continue to work on important Senate matters.
“On the advice of my doctors, I will maintain an intensive regimen of physical therapy from home during my state duty, and I will continue to discuss important Senate matters with my staff and colleagues,” he said in a statement at the time.
