Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky announced Thursday that he plans to resume his Senate duties after more than 50 days of hospitalization, a stretch that began with a fall at his Washington home and turned into a prolonged recovery from pneumonia.
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McConnell was briefly left unconscious after the fall on June 14. He later developed pneumonia during rehabilitation, keeping him away from the Senate floor for weeks. The retiring senator has now been released to continue recovering at home.
“Earlier today, I was discharged from the rehabilitation center to continue my recovery at home,” McConnell said in a statement to reporters. “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.”
Despite the extended hospital stay, McConnell made clear he intends to stay engaged with Senate business rather than step back further. “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,” he said.
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The senator’s long absence drew criticism from some quarters over a perceived lack of transparency about his condition because Kentucky went without full representation while he was hospitalized. Those concerns took on practical weight this week when the Senate Agriculture Committee failed to advance the Republican Farm Bill on Tuesday. McConnell’s absence left Republicans without the votes needed to move it forward, and Democrats on the committee voted unanimously against the bill, blocking a measure that farmers and rural communities have been counting on.
Senate Republicans hold a narrow committee margin and cannot easily absorb a missing vote on major legislation. His return, even in a limited capacity from home, gives GOP leadership a path to revive stalled priorities like the Farm Bill while Democrats have shown little willingness to work across the aisle in his absence.
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