Mitch McConnell unveils health reform, says he’s ‘regaining’ power | Government Affairs

The Republican US senator was absent from Congress during his weeks-long hospital stay, much to his concern.

US Senator Mitch McConnell has revealed that a fall led to his hospitalisation, ending his silence after weeks of public debate about his health.

On Sunday, the 84-year-old Kentucky Republican said he “passed out briefly” when he was first taken to the hospital.

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He explained that he underwent tests to determine the cause of his collapse and was treated for mild pneumonia. Since then he has been transferred to a rehabilitation center.

“My doctors have confirmed that I didn’t break any bones or have a heart attack. I didn’t have a heart attack or stroke. I didn’t have any tumors or bleeding,” McConnell said, adding that he is now “getting his strength back.”

McConnell’s comments came after the unexpected death of fellow Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina. McConnell said he could not return to the Senate “just yet”.

Combined with Graham’s death, McConnell’s absence will temporarily reduce the Republican majority in the chamber to two, leaving the party with 51 senators, compared to 47 in the Democratic caucus.

That could create problems as Republicans try to increase military spending, advance President Donald Trump’s agenda and confirm Trump’s nominees.

McConnell explained his four-week silence about his illness by saying that “people of my generation are often reluctant to share the risks that come with aging”.

“Even in front of people, I feel the same way – I can’t do it,” he said.

McConnell said he will continue to work with his staff on Senate business. His statement included a smiling photo of the senator and his wife, Elaine Chao, a silent response to online speculation that McConnell was dead or incapacitated.

McConnell has been tight-lipped since being hospitalized on June 14, with his office saying only that he is “receiving excellent care” and recovering. Speculation about his illness has grown so strong that Kentucky governor Andy Beshear took action last week by writing a public letter asking McConnell to “transparently” make public changes.

McConnell is retiring at the end of January after one of the most important careers in modern politics.

Republicans have nominated Representative Andy Barr to replace him, while Democrats have nominated veteran state legislator Charles Booker. For his part, McConnell said he is eager to finish his term.

“I still have business to finish on your behalf,” McConnell wrote in a speech to Kentuckians, “and I intend to finish the job you elected me to do.”

McConnell has a history of health problems, however. He had polio when he was young and has admitted that he has difficulty walking and climbing stairs when he is older.

The congressional physician’s office said in a statement on Sunday that McConnell “experienced several falls during the year” due to “polio”. The office said his physical therapy was aimed at reducing the risk of falling again.

“A thorough examination of the multidisciplinary team confirmed that he had no fractures, heart attacks, strokes, tumors, or bleeding,” the doctor’s office said.

McConnell was first elected to the Senate in 1984, and was the Republican leader from 2007 until last year, serving as majority and minority leader during that time. He has remained active as an official cinematographer, showing work while indoors, often using a wheelchair to get around.

But the senator’s body has started to decline in recent years.

He was hospitalized in March 2023, and was out of work for several weeks after collapsing in a Washington, DC hotel. He froze twice at press conferences after his return, staring straight ahead in front of colleagues and staff. A year later, he fell and dislocated his arm while leaving the Republican party.