Mitch McConnell was hospitalized following a trip to Washington D.C.’s congressman hotel on Saturday night. According to his spokesman, Doug Andres, McConnell was attending a private dinner when he was taken ill. The 81-year-old Kentucky senator was admitted to a hospital for treatment, but no further information has been provided on his condition or the length of his absence from the Senate.
McConnell suffered a shoulder fracture after tripping and falling at his Kentucky home in 2019. He underwent surgery and worked from home as he recovered during the summer recess. McConnell recently became the longest-serving Senate leader in U.S. history, first elected in 1984.
Despite his reluctance to discuss his private life, McConnell opened up about his fight against polio during the COVID-19 crisis and acknowledged some difficulty with stairs in adulthood. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer extended his well-wishes and prayers for McConnell’s speedy recovery.
The average age of senators is 65, and several members have been absent due to illness recently, including Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), who is receiving care for clinical depression, and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who was hospitalized for shingles. The Democratic absences have challenged Schumer, who already manages a slim 51-49 majority in the Senate. However, the Republicans, as the minority party, have had an easier time with intermittent absences. It remains unclear if McConnell’s absence will affect scheduled votes in the Senate, with South Dakota Sen. John Thune serving as the No. 2 Republican in the Senate.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding McConnell’s condition and the length of his absence, both Republicans and Democrats wish for a speedy recovery for the Senate leader. McConnell has been a prominent figure in the Senate for decades and has significantly shaped U.S. politics and policies.
As the longest-serving Senate leader in history, McConnell has a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the workings of the Senate. His absence will be felt, but it is hoped that he will return to the Senate as soon as possible to continue serving the people of Kentucky and the nation.
In the meantime, the Senate will continue its work, with Schumer and the other senators working to advance the priorities of the American people. Despite the challenges posed by McConnell’s absence, the Senate will continue, with senators from both parties working together to address the nation’s pressing issues.
