Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell suffers concussion after falling at hotel
Mitch McConnell, the 81-year-old Republican Senate minority leader, tripped while attending a private dinner.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) suffered a concussion after tripping at a hotel during a private dinner and will remain hospitalised for a few days, a spokesman said Thursday (Friday AEDT).
Mr McConnell “is expected to remain in the hospital for a few days of observation and treatment,” Mr McConnell’s spokesman, David Popp, said in a statement. “The Leader is grateful to the medical professionals for their care and to his colleagues for their warm wishes,” he said.
Mr McConnell, 81 years old, was first elected to the Senate in 1984. He participated in a Senate vote on Wednesday.
Mr McConnell suffered polio as a young boy and his gait is still uneven. He uses rails regularly when he walks into and out of the Senate chamber. Mr McConnell fractured his shoulder in 2019 during a fall. Earlier, in 2003, he had triple bypass surgery.
Several senators are currently experiencing health issues that have sidelined them from voting.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D., Calif.), 89, has been hospitalised with shingles, and Sen. Tom Carper (D., Del.), 76, is out because he contracted Covid-19. Sen. John Fetterman (D., Pa.), 53, is undergoing treatment for clinical depression; he suffered a stroke last year and since then has struggled in his speech and with auditory processing.
Mr McConnell’s absence will temporarily leave Republicans with one less vote in a Senate with a narrow Democratic majority, with Democrats holding 51 seats, compared with 49 for Republicans. His absence also puts the focus on Sen. John Thune (R., S.D.), the No. 2 Senate Republican, who has long been seen as a possible successor to Mr McConnell.
Colleagues in the Senate said they hoped Mr McConnell would be out of the hospital soon.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) said he phoned Mr McConnell on Thursday morning and spoke with Mr McConnell’s staff.
“My thoughts this morning are with my good friend, Leader McConnell, who is recovering in the hospital after a fall last night,” Mr Schumer said on the Senate floor. He said he “spoke briefly with his staff to extend my prayers and well wishes. My thoughts are also with Leader McConnell’s family and his team.” “I am praying for a speedy recovery for my friend,” tweeted Sen. Tim Scott (R., S.C.).
“I hope to see you back on the Senate floor soon.”
President Biden told reporters Thursday evening that he had spoken to Mr McConnell’s family. “I think he’s going to be all right,” he said.
The Wall Street Journal
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