McConnell is “continuing his recovery,” but details are scarce after his lengthy hospital stay

WASHINGTON (AP) — Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell’s staff said last week that the senator is “continuing his recovery” in the hospital while the Senate is out of session. But his office did not release any details about the former Republican leader’s condition during his weeks-long hospitalization or whether he will be in the Capitol when the Senate returns next week.

McConnell was hospitalized on June 14, according to a statement from his office that said only that he was “receiving excellent care.” A statement issued a week later said that he would not vote that week. On Thursday, a new statement said he “continues to improve” and “appreciates the outpouring of support he is receiving as he continues his recovery in the hospital.”

His office has not issued any updates since then, and his spokeswoman did not respond to a request for comment on Monday.

The senator’s unspecified health issues come after he was hospitalized several times in recent years, and as Senate Republicans were already navigating a narrow majority in recent months before the midterm elections. McConnell, 84, was the longest-serving Senate leader in history before stepping down from that role. He is serving his final term, which ends next January.

While still GOP leader, McConnell was hospitalized with a concussion in March 2023, and missed several weeks of work after collapsing in a Washington hotel. After his return, he froze twice during news conferences that summer, staring blankly ahead before teammates and staff came to his aid. A year later, he fell and sprained his wrist while leaving a Republican luncheon.

McConnell had polio in early childhood and has long admitted to having some difficulty as an adult with walking and climbing stairs. He also stumbled and fell in 2019 at his home in Kentucky and underwent surgery for a broken shoulder.

McConnell was first elected to the Senate in 1984 and was the Republican leader from 2007 until last year, serving as both majority and minority leader during that time. He has remained active as a regular senator, showing up at work when the chamber is in session, and often using a wheelchair to get around.