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Mitch McConnell Reveals What Led to His Hospitalization

Sen. Mitch McConnell is revealing new details about the health scare that has kept him away from the Senate for nearly a month, saying a fall related to his longtime battle with polio led to his hospitalization…

Andrew PowellJul 13, 20263 min read

Health Kentucky Mitch McConnell Politics U.S. News

Sen. Mitch McConnell is revealing new details about the Health scare that has kept him away from the Senate for nearly a month, saying a fall related to his longtime battle with polio led to his hospitalization.

According to Fox News, in a letter released Sunday evening, the Kentucky Republican said he briefly lost consciousness after falling at home last month.

During his recovery, he also developed what he described as a mild case of pneumonia.

"My doctors have confirmed that I didn’t break any bones or suffer a concussion," McConnell wrote. "I didn’t have a heart attack or a stroke. I don’t have any tumors or hemorrhages."

While McConnell provided new information about his condition, he acknowledged he still does not know when he will be able to return to the Senate floor.

"As much as it frustrates me, this process takes time. And on the advice of my doctors, I won’t be able to return to the Senate floor to vote quite yet," he wrote. "But rest assured that, in the meantime, I’m not taking a break from the Senate business that matters to you."

McConnell's physician said the senator has experienced several falls this year because of complications stemming from post-polio syndrome.

"He was admitted to the hospital four weeks ago after falling at home and sustaining minor injuries," the physician said. "A comprehensive evaluation by a multidisciplinary team determined that he had no fractures, cardiac abnormalities, stroke, tumor, or hemorrhage."

The doctor added that McConnell developed pneumonia early during his hospital stay but responded quickly to antibiotic treatment.

McConnell's extended absence comes as Senate Republicans face increased pressure following the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham.

With Graham's seat now vacant and McConnell sidelined, Republicans are temporarily operating with fewer votes as lawmakers work to advance key portions of President Donald Trump's legislative agenda.

Before Sunday's statement, McConnell's office had released few details about his hospitalization, fueling widespread speculation online about his condition.

Emergency dispatch audio from the day of the incident indicated he had been unconscious, prompting rumors that he later sought to address.

Although McConnell did not respond directly to the speculation, he emphasized that he intends to complete the remainder of his Senate term before retiring.

"You’re right to expect your representatives to work hard for you. And part of my decision to retire at the end of my term this coming January was being honest about the demands of Senate work," McConnell wrote. "But I still have unfinished business to complete on your behalf, and I have every intention of finishing the job you elected me to do."