Mitch McConnell Says He Was Discharged From Rehab After Mid-June Fall

Sen. Mitch McConnell announces he has been discharged from rehab facility McConnell said in a statement he'll continue his recovery at home. Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell, after weeks of in-patient care following a fall in mid-June, announced via a statement on Thursday that he has been discharged from a rehabilitation center and will continue his recovery at home. "Earlier today, I was discharged from the rehabilitation center to continue my recovery at home," McConnell said in a statement. "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." "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," McConnell added. McConnell was first hospitalized on June 14 for reasons that were initially undisclosed by his office. While his office has released two photographs of McConnell since his hospitalization, the Kentucky senator has not been seen in public. Late last month, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear called on McConnell to either "verbally" show proof to Kentuckians that he can still serve in the Senate or to resign from Congress. In a statement issued on July 12, nearly a month later, McConnell said he was hospitalized due to a fall that left him briefly unconscious. He also said he had to deal with a "mild case of pneumonia." In that same July 12 statement, McConnell said he had been moved from the hospital to a rehabilitation facility to recover. The former Republican leader has not been seen on Capitol Hill since June 11. McConnell has said he intends to finish his term, which expires in January. The seven-term senator has already said he does not intend to seek reelection in January. The Senate is expected to recess until mid-September in the coming days. McConnell's statement suggests he won't be seen in the Capitol until at least then. Before departing for recess, the Senate is expected to take up acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's nomination to permanently lead the Department of Justice. With McConnell's absence, Blanche can only afford to lose two Republican votes.

Politics Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell discharged from rehab facility The longtime Republican senator said he'll continue his recovery at home. !ABCNews logo Thursday, August 6, 2026 9:38PM !Mitch McConnell returns home after hospitalization The former Senate majority leader returned home after a hospitalization in June. AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell was discharged Thursday from the rehabilitation center and will continue his recovery at home. "Earlier today, I was discharged from the rehabilitation center to continue my recovery at home," McConnell said in a statement. "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." !Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., speaks during a Senate Committee on Appropriations subcommittee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, May 20, 2025. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., speaks during a Senate Committee on Appropriations subcommittee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, May 20, 2025. AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File "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," McConnell added. _This is a developing story. Please check back for updates._ Report a correction or typo Copyright © 2026 ABC News Internet Ventures. Related Topics POLITICS HEALTH & FITNESS U.S. & WORLD Watch Live ON NOW Earth, Wind & Fire concert in SF postponed due to medical emergency Florida man accused of turning off air supply of submerged teen diver Marine recruit dies during physical exam at Camp Pendleton

Mitch McConnell returns home weeks after hospital admission sparked health speculation US Senator Mitch McConnell says he has returned home nearly two months after being admitted to hospital, where he will continue working for now. The 84-year-old Kentucky Republican's whereabouts and state of health have been the subject of intense speculation for weeks, with few details being given. Last month, McConnell said he had been moved to a rehabilitation centre. He also revealed he had been hospitalised due to a fall and had suffered a "mild case of pneumonia". "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 in a statement on Thursday. "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," he also said, referring to his wife, former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. McConnell's staff said he had been admitted to hospital for treatment on 14 June but little was said about the state of his health until 12 July, when he released a statement saying he had been "briefly unconscious" after a fall. Once admitted to hospital, he said he "submitted to every test they can think of to help figure out what caused this incident". His office also released a photo on 27 July of McConnell sitting and smiling alongside his wife. A polio survivor, McConnell has faced a number of health challenges in recent years. In 2024, he was injured after tripping outside a Senate lunch event, and earlier this year he was admitted to hospital for flu. McConnell, who is the longest-serving Senate party leader in US history, has said he will retire in January at the end of his term in the Senate, where he was a major power broker for decades.

Washington — Republican Sen. of Kentucky said Thursday that he has been discharged from a rehabilitation center, nearly two months after he was hospitalized."Earlier today, I was discharged from the rehabilitation center to continue my recovery at home," he said in a statement. The statement did not say when McConnell is expected to return to Capitol Hill. "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. McConnell was hospitalized on June 14. McConnell and his staff said little about his health for nearly a month after he was admitted to the hospital, about his condition. In a statement on July 12, McConnell said a fall led to his hospitalization and he had been moved to a rehab center. "My doctors have confirmed that I didn't break any bones or suffer a concussion. I didn't have a heart attack or a stroke. I don't have any tumors or hemorrhages. But I was briefly unconscious and was taken to the hospital. While receiving excellent care over the past several weeks, I've also had to deal with a mild case of pneumonia," he said at the time. A statement from the Office of the Attending Physician added that McConnell sustained "minor injuries," but the senator "had no fractures, cardiac abnormalities, stroke, tumor, or hemorrhage." Another statement from the attending physician's office on July 27 said McConnell was maintaining a "strenuous course" of physical therapy to reduce his risk of falls. "His bout with childhood polio continues to be a significant factor in his mobility," the statement said.

Sen. Mitch McConnell said on Thursday that he has been discharged from the rehabilitation center where he had been recovering after a fall and will continue to recover at home. “Earlier today, I was discharged from the rehabilitation center to continue my recovery at home. 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,” the Kentucky Republican said in a statement. “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 added. The former Senate majority leader, who is 84 and not running for reelection, was admitted to the hospital on June 14, but his office did not disclose the reason for the hospitalization at the time. In July, after weeks of speculation over his health status, McConnell announced that a fall had landed him in the hospital. “My doctors have confirmed that I didn’t break any bones or suffer a concussion. I didn’t have a heart attack or a stroke. I don’t have any tumors or hemorrhages. But I was briefly unconscious and was taken to the hospital. While receiving excellent care over the past several weeks, I’ve also had to deal with a mild case of pneumonia,” he said in a statement at the time. The senator went on to say that he had been moved to a rehabilitation center to continue regaining his strength. This story has been updated with additional information.

The 84-year-old Republican senator Mitch McConnell left this Thursday the rehabilitation center where he was recovering from a fall he suffered in June and will continue his recovery at home, amid weeks of doubts about his health. "Today I have been discharged from the rehabilitation center to continue my recovery at home," McConnell announced on X, where he thanked the support received from friends, colleagues and the people of Kentucky, as well as the care of doctors, nurses and therapists. The veteran lawmaker explained that he will follow medical instructions and will undergo physical therapy sessions from his home. During that process, he said he will continue working with his team on Senate-related matters. The message aims to clear up doubts that arose from his hospitalization and subsequent admission to a rehabilitation center. On June 14, McConnell even posted a photo with his wife, Elaine, and a newspaper of the day to show that he was doing well. Democrats pressed on his health status The prolonged absence of the senator also gained political significance due to the slim margin with which Republicans control the Senate. The party holds 53 of the 100 seats, so an absence reduces its margin to 52 lawmakers in voting. The situation also triggered calls for McConnell to publicly provide more details about his ability to continue serving. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear asked him days ago to appear before the state's citizens to demonstrate that he is able to stay in the Senate or, if not, to resign his seat. "As the governor of the state you serve, I ask you to address the people of Kentucky directly and verbally and to demonstrate your ability to serve or govern," Beshear wrote in a letter addressed to the senator. Beshear also asked Senate Majority Leader John Thune to investigate McConnell's situation and consider starting a process to replace him if necessary. The governor sent a similar request directly to Thune, who declined to take a role in the matter and noted that the decision rests with Senator McConnell and the people of Kentucky. "I’ve seen that letter, but in any case, I believe this is a matter for Senator McConnell and the people of Kentucky," Thune told NBC News. McConnell’s return to his home does not yet mean his full reintegration into in-person Senate activities. Continue reading: • Senator Mitch McConnell hospitalized for an undisclosed condition • Senator Mitch McConnell hospitalized after experiencing flu-like symptoms • Mitch McConnell confirms he will leave the Senate in 2026

Advertisement Washington. Republican Senator Mitch McConnell, one of the longest-serving in the United States, announced that he has been discharged from the hospital where he was recovering from a fall he suffered in June and will continue his rehabilitation at home, after weeks of uncertainty about his health status. "Today I have been discharged from the rehabilitation center to continue my recovery at home. Elaine and I are grateful for the numerous expressions of support and good wishes from friends, colleagues and Kentucky residents, as well as for the attentive care I have received from excellent doctors, nurses, therapists and hospital staff," the congressman wrote on his X account. McConnell, 84, explained in the same message that, while following medical advice, he will continue physical therapy sessions from his home, during which he will continue working with his team "on important Senate matters." Also read: The US will seek migrants deported from Mexico, Guatemala and other countries; wants to charge them outstanding fines With these words, the Republican senator aims to end the uncertainty generated by his initial hospitalization and later admission to the rehabilitation center, which led him to publish a photo of himself with his wife and a newspaper from that day on July 12 to put an end to doubts about his health. Republicans hold 53 of the 100 Senate seats, but without McConnell they have 52 votes, so every ballot becomes a test decided by a narrow margin. [Advertisement] The delicate state of McConnell has reopened the debate about the age of politicians and the succession of public offices, in addition to once again showing the image of an aging Capitol. mcc [Advertisement]

Topline Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Thursday he’s been discharged from the rehabilitation center where he was recovering from a June fall, issuing a statement hours before the Senate is set to break for a five-week recess. Key Facts McConnell said he will “maintain an intensive regimen of physical therapy from home during the state work period” and “continue to engage with my staff and colleagues on important Senate business.” McConnell has given two statements on his health since he was hospitalized following a June 14 fall that left him briefly unconscious, prompting calls for more transparency about the 84-year-old senator’s condition. In his initial statement on June 13, accompanied by a photo of him sitting upright in a hospital bed alongside his wife, former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, McConnell said he was still in the hospital after the fall and a “mild case of pneumonia,” but said he didn’t suffer any broken bones, concussion, heart attack, stroke or have any “tumors or hemorrhages.” In a second statement on July 28, with a similar photo of him and Chao, he said he’d been moved to a rehab facility but wasn’t yet medically cleared to leave and wouldn’t attend a weekend political picnic in Kentucky; he also missed the funeral of his longtime Senate colleague, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. His doctor said in the statement last month that his “bout with childhood polio continues to be a significant factor in his mobility.” McConnell’s absence has complicated the Senate’s busy legislative calendar, as Republicans have a slim 53-47 majority in the upper chamber, and without McConnell, business on the Senate appropriations committee has come to a halt as the committee is split 14-14, meaning legislation can’t advance without bipartisan support. Read Statement On McConnell’s Discharge In Full “Earlier today, I was discharged from the rehabilitation center to continue my recovery at home. 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. “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.” Tangent Kentucky’s Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear has repeatedly urged McConnell to call into a news program or issue a video statement to prove he is capable of continuing to serve. Beshear must call a special election to fill McConnell’s seat if it becomes vacant, but there is some uncertainty surrounding the timeline since the November general election to fill McConnell’s seat is less than three months away. Some Kentucky lawmakers have speculated that the deadline for calling a special election in the event of a vacancy was Aug. 3, given the deadlines for notifying local officials of the special election. Beshear, however, suggested the date “has no legal impact on my options should there be a vacancy this year,” he wrote Monday on X, adding, “Worth a reminder, right now, there’s one less vote for the SAVE Act, Trump’s war with Iran, or the potential replacement of a SCOTUS justice” with McConnell absent. Key Background McConnell is set to retire at the end of the year after 42 years in the Senate. He has experienced a series of health issues over the years and has been seen using a wheelchair or the assistance of aides to move around the Capitol recently. In 2023, he froze while speaking in front of reporters twice in a span of less than two months. His office attributed the episodes to lightheadedness, but physicians who viewed the footage said his symptoms mirrored those of mini seizures. He also experienced two serious falls in 2023 and 2024. further reading McConnell Shares Details About His Hospitalization After Weeks Of Silence (Forbes)

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Thursday that he has been discharged from a rehabilitation center where he was recovering from a fall he suffered in mid-June. “Earlier today, I was discharged from the rehabilitation center to continue my recovery at home. 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,” McConnell said in a statement. McConnell, 84, said he would continue to work from home, and he did not provide a timeline for his return to the Senate, which is expected to begin a five-week recess in the coming days. Uncertainty surrounding McConnell’s health has swirled for weeks following his June 14 hospitalization, after which he had not been seen in public. His staff has repeatedly refused to answer questions about his condition, prompting calls for transparency from some critics, including Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. Police scanner audio NBC News obtained last month indicated that paramedics conducted CPR on a person experiencing a “cardiac arrest” at McConnell’s address. In a statement last month, he said he had been hospitalized after he was “briefly unconscious” following a fall. “My doctors have confirmed that I didn’t break any bones or suffer a concussion,” he said July 12. “I didn’t have a heart attack or a stroke. I don’t have any tumors or hemorrhages. But I was briefly unconscious and was taken to the hospital. While receiving excellent care over the past several weeks, I’ve also had to deal with a mild case of pneumonia.” Since his hospitalization, McConnell has missed 51 Senate floor votes and is expected to miss the vote to confirm Todd Blanche for attorney general if it takes place this week. McConnell, who has also suffered a number of health issues over the years, is retiring at the end of his term in January. In February, McConnell was hospitalized for a week with “flu-like symptoms.” In 2023, he was hospitalized for a concussion he sustained when he tripped at a hotel, and the same year, he had several episodes of freezing in the middle of speaking, which were caught on camera and raised concerns about his mental fitness for office. He also fractured a shoulder in 2019 when he fell at his home in Kentucky. McConnell is one of the oldest members of the Senate after Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who are 92 and 84, respectively.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., released a statement Thursday saying he has been discharged from a rehabilitation center and will continue his recovery at home. “Earlier today, I was discharged from the rehabilitation center to continue my recovery at home,” McConnell said in a statement. “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.” Following the advice of his doctors, McConnell plans to continue his physical therapy regimen while recovering at home during the state work period. His statement also said he would remain engaged with his Senate staff and colleagues on important legislative business. McConnell has been hospitalized since June 14 and has only been seen in two pictures released by his office. In a statement on July 12, the senator said he had fallen and briefly lost consciousness. His health updates have spurred calls from some Democrats, including Rep. Morgan McGarvey, D-Louisville, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., urging McConnell to provide more detailed information about his condition and timeline for returning to the Senate. McConnell ended his statement by thanking supporters for their well wishes and saying he looked forward to returning to the Senate and Kentucky soon.

By Rebecca Shabad — NBC News The Republican senator from Kentucky, Mitch McConnell, said this Thursday that he has been discharged from the rehabilitation center where he was recovering from a fall he suffered in June. “Today I was discharged from the rehabilitation center to continue my recovery at home. Elaine (my wife) and I are grateful for the well wishes and the support of friends, colleagues, and the people of Kentucky, as well as for the excellent care I received from doctors, nurses, therapists, and hospital staff,” McConnell said in a statement. The 84-year-old Republican said he would continue working from home and did not provide a date for his return to the Senate, which is expected to begin a five-week recess in the coming days. Uncertainty surrounding McConnell’s health has persisted for weeks after the senator’s hospitalization on June 14, after which he had not been seen in public. His team has repeatedly refused to answer questions about his health, prompting calls for transparency from some critics, including Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. An audio from a police radio obtained by NBC News last month indicated that paramedics had performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on a person suffering a “cardiac arrest” at McConnell’s residence. In a statement last month, the senator said he had been hospitalized after being “briefly unconscious” following a fall. “My doctors have confirmed that I did not break any bones or suffer a concussion,” he said on July 12. “I did not have a heart attack or a stroke. I do not have a tumor or bleeding. But I did lose consciousness momentarily and was taken to the hospital. Although I have received excellent care over the past weeks, I have also had to deal with a mild case of pneumonia.” McConnell, who has also faced several health issues over the years, will retire at the end of his term, which ends in January.

Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican from Kentucky, announced to the United States Senate that he will not seek reelection. Senator Mitch McConnell (Republican from Kentucky) said this Thursday that he has been discharged from a rehabilitation center where he was recovering from a fall suffered in mid-June. "Today I was discharged from the rehabilitation center to continue my recovery at home. Elaine and I are grateful for the numerous messages of well-wishes and the support of friends, colleagues, and Kentucky residents, as well as for the attentive care I have received from excellent doctors, nurses, therapists, and hospital staff," McConnell stated in a release. Northeast News 24/7 on Telemundo 44. The Kentucky Republican said he would continue working from home and did not specify when he would return to the Senate, the chamber which is expected to begin a five-week recess in the coming days. This story was translated from English with the help of a generative AI tool. An editor at Telemundo Digital reviewed the translation.

McConnell released from rehab center 50+ days after hospitalization U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell has been discharged from a rehabilitation center more than 50 days after he was first hospitalized. In an Aug. 6 update from the Kentucky senator's office, McConnell confirmed he was released from the center and would continue to recover at home. It was not immediately clear whether he will recover in Louisville or D.C. “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," McConnell wrote in the statement. A timeline was not provided on the senator's return to Congress, only that he would continue to work on Senate business while receiving physical therapy at home. “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," McConnell said. McConnell's health has been the subject of mass public scrutiny following his June 14 hospitalization, drawing concern from both Democrats and Republicans. His long absence from the Senate has been prompted dozens of conspiracy theories and rumors, fueled by the infrequent updates from the 84-year-old senator's office. Gov. Andy Beshear has repeatedly called for more frequent updates on the senator, saying if he cannot perform the job he was elected to do, then he should consider retiring early. "The Governor wishes Senator McConnell well in his recovery and is glad he is leaving the hospital, but McConnell shouldn't have left the American people in the dark for the last two months," a spokesperson for Beshear wrote in an Aug. 6 statement to The Courier Journal. "The Senator says he intends to engage with his colleagues and his staff but leaves out the most important people of all — the people of Kentucky." In a July 12 letter to constituents, McConnell shared that his hospitalization was due to a fall and he experienced a brief loss of consciousness. While in the hospital, he contracted "a mild case of pneumonia" and has been undergoing physical rehabilitation since. McConnell was diagnosed with polio as a child and has had long-lasting complications from the disease. His absence has helped halt vital congressional work, including on the Senate's farm bill and legislation within the appropriations committee. McConnell, who serves on the Senate Agriculture Committee, as well as chair of a subcommittee on Senate Appropriations, is able to vote by proxy on amendments but cannot vote to pass bills out of a committee while in recovery, creating a standstill for bills without bipartisan support. Even as the senator recovers, the race to succeed him is well underway in Kentucky. McConnell announced in early 2025 that he would not be seeking another term, leaving Democratic nominee Charles Booker and U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, the Republican nominee, to fight it out in the Nov. 3 general election. This story has been updated to include additional information. Reach reporter Keely Doll at [email protected] or on X at @keely_doll.

The Republican US senator Mitch McConnell has been discharged from a rehabilitation center following the fall that left him hospitalized, he announced on Thursday. McConnell, 84, whose weeks‑long absence from Capitol Hill fueled mounting speculation about his health, said he will continue his recovery at home. While the Senate is set to wrap up legislative business this week, before a five‑week recess, several agenda items remain – including a vote to confirm Todd Blanche as US attorney general. McConnell’s absence further narrows Republicans’ already tight path to approving Donald Trump’s former personal attorney as head of the Department of Justice. McConnell is one of the highest-profile figures in Congress, as a former Senate majority leader. He has been absent from the Senate and not seen in public since mid-June, although his office has released several photos of him. “On the advice of my doctors, I’ll maintain an intensive regimen of physical therapy from home during the state work period,” McConnell said in a Thursday statement. “And I’ll continue to engage with my staff and colleagues on important Senate business.” His 53‑day absence has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers in both parties. Last month, Kentucky’s Democratic governor, Andy Beshear, publicly urged McConnell to release more information about his health, writing: “Kentuckians have grown increasingly concerned about the current state of your health and wellbeing, and ability to hold office.” McConnell was admitted to hospital on 14 June. His office initially offered few details, saying only that he was “continuing to improve”. A month later, McConnell disclosed that a fall at his home and a “mild case of pneumonia” had prompted the hospitalization and his extended time away. In late July, his office said he still had not been cleared to return to work.

Without clarifying when he would return to the Senate, Mitch McConnell confirmed that he will continue his recovery at home. The Kentucky Republican was discharged from the rehabilitation center where he had been since mid-June after suffering a fall. McConnell was discharged from the rehabilitation center where he had been since mid-June after suffering a fall. According to a statement from the Kentucky Republican senator, he will continue his recovery at home. However, he did not specify when he would return to the Senate. After weeks of uncertainty and speculation about his health, McConnell released a statement accompanied by a photograph with his wife, Elaine Chao, from the rehabilitation center. In the message, he revealed that he had briefly lost consciousness, though medical tests ruled out fractures, a stroke, and a heart attack. The last in-person vote by the Republican was on June 11. Since then, he has missed dozens of votes on the floor. Now, the historic senator confirmed in a statement the next steps in his recovery: “Today I have been discharged from the rehabilitation center to continue my recovery at home.” “Following my doctors’ recommendations, I will follow an intensive physical therapy program from home during the Senate session period, and I will continue to work with my team and colleagues on important Senate matters,” he added. In February 2025, McConnell announced that he would not seek re-election in 2026, so the term he currently serves will be the last of a four-decade Senate career. After a hard-fought Republican primary in Kentucky, Congressman Andy Barr won the nomination, and he is expected to succeed him in the Senate in January 2027. McConnell is among the senators with the most years in office in the country’s history, with 41 years and 8 months. The top position is held by Robert Byrd, a Democrat from West Virginia, who died in office in June 2010. He served for 51 years and 5 months.

Democracy Dies in Darkness By Theodoric Meyer Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) said he was discharged Thursday from a rehabilitation center and would continue his recovery at home from a fall that has kept him from the Senate for nearly two months. Subscribe for unlimited access to The Post Save on unmatched reporting. Get your first year for £2 every four weeks McConnell, 84, has been absent from the Senate since he was hospitalized June 14 following a fall at home. He said last month that he had moved to a rehabilitation center but has not provided a timeline for his return. McConnell suggested Thursday that he would not return to the Senate before the chamber leaves for a five-week recess in the coming days. The Senate is scheduled to return to Washington on Sept. 14. “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,” McConnell said in a statement. McConnell led Senate Republicans for 18 years before stepping down last year to serve out the last two years of his term as a rank-and-file senator. Rep. Andy Barr, who won the Republican Senate primary in Kentucky in May, is heavily favored to succeed him in January. McConnell has faced intense speculation about his health and when he will return to the Capitol over the past seven weeks, which occasional updates and two photos shared by his office have not quelled. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) demanded last week that McConnell “provide proof of his capacity to serve, or resign.” Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota) and Sen. John Barrasso (Wyoming), the No. 2 Senate Republican, have said they have spoken with McConnell, though some other GOP senators have said they have heard little from him. David Popp, a McConnell spokesman, said last month that McConnell had continued to work during his absence, discussing defense appropriations, the farm bill and constituent services with aides. McConnell is hardly the first senator to miss votes for months while ill or in recovery. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania), for example, was absent for two months in 2023 while seeking treatment for depression. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California) missed nearly three months of votes in the same year while battling shingles. She returned to the Senate but died months later. Still, McConnell’s absence has had an impact. The Senate Agriculture Committee failed to advance a farm bill Thursday because Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) and McConnell missed the vote. It would have passed if both senators had voted for it, though not if only one of them was there. McConnell said in a statement last month that he did not break any bones when he fell and did not suffer a concussion, a heart attack, a stroke or a hemorrhage. He has said he has tried to follow the advice of his doctors — which Sen. John Kennedy (R-Louisiana) said he thought was the right approach. “I think Mitch’s health comes first, for him and his family,” Kennedy told reporters Thursday after learning McConnell had been discharged from the rehabilitation center. “And I think he ought to listen to his doctors.” * What readers are saying The comments express skepticism and disbelief regarding Mitch McConnell's health status and the authenticity of statements attributed to him. Many commenters demand visual proof or a live appearance to confirm his condition, criticizing the reliance on written statements from his... Show more This summary is AI-generated. 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