Sen. Mitch McConnell has been discharged after nearly two months of hospitalization and rehabilitation following a June health scare, but the 84-year-old Kentucky Republican is not yet returning to the Senate.
McConnell announced Thursday that he is returning to his Washington, DC, home, where he will continue an intensive physical therapy program. He did not provide a specific date for when he expects to return to Capitol Hill.
The senator was rushed to the hospital on June 14 after being found unconscious at his residence. Emergency dispatch communications initially referenced a possible cardiac event, fueling questions about the severity of his condition as McConnell remained hospitalized for weeks.
McConnell later revealed that doctors determined he had not suffered a heart attack or stroke. He also said he had no broken bones, concussion, tumors or hemorrhages, though he acknowledged that he briefly lost consciousness and subsequently developed a mild case of pneumonia while receiving treatment.
After leaving the hospital, McConnell spent additional time at a rehabilitation facility before being cleared to continue his recovery at home. He thanked doctors, nurses, therapists and hospital staff for their care while also expressing appreciation for the support he and his wife, former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, received during the ordeal.
McConnell said he plans to remain engaged in Senate business while undergoing physical therapy during the chamber’s state work period. He has remained in contact with his staff and Republican colleagues throughout his absence and has participated in some committee business through proxy voting.
His lengthy absence sparked widespread speculation online about his condition, including false rumors that he was “brain dead.” Senate Majority Leader John Thune and other Republican senators pushed back against those claims after speaking directly with McConnell while he was hospitalized.
The episode adds to a series of health concerns McConnell has faced in recent years. In 2023, he suffered a concussion and fractured rib after falling at a Washington event and later experienced two widely publicized incidents in which he appeared to freeze while speaking publicly.
McConnell has not announced exactly when he will resume voting in person. For now, the longtime Kentucky senator will continue recovering at home while staying involved with his staff and Senate colleagues, marking a significant step forward after nearly two months away from Capitol Hill.
The post Mitch McConnell Discharged From Hospital After Nearly Two Months, Continuing Recovery at Home appeared first on Real News Now.
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