What we know about Sen. Mitch McConnell’s health
Emily is a general assignment intern with the Deseret News Utah, Politics and the West team and will soon receive her degree in journalism from Brigham Young University. Sen. Mitch McConnell announced Thursday. . .
Emily is a general assignment intern with the Deseret News Utah, Politics and the West team and will soon receive her degree in journalism from Brigham Young University. Sen. Mitch McConnell announced Thursday that he has been discharged from a rehabilitation center and will be returning 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. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. , chair of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, smiles as he is greeted before a hearing on President Donald Trump's funding requests for the Army, at the Capitol in Washington, May 19, 2026. | J. Scott Applewhite, Associated Press“On the advice of my doctors, I’ll maintain an intensive regimen of physical therapy from home during the state work period,” McConnell continued, “and I’ll continue to engage with my staff and colleagues on important Senate business. ”The 84-year-old Republican was first hospitalized nearly two months ago for health concerns related to a reported fall in his home. Media reports that reveal medical personnel responded to a cardiac arrest call at one of the senator’s residencesthe same day McConnell was hospitalizedfueled speculation that McConnell experienced cardiac arrest, according to previous Deseret News reporting. RelatedMcConnell said he was “briefly unconscious” following the fall, but did not break any bones and the fall was not caused by heart attack, stroke, hemorrhages or tumors. McConnell’s repeated health concerns cause concern among other elected officialsSen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. , walks through the Capitol, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Washington. | Allison Robbert, Associated PressThis is not the first time McConnell has been absent from office due to physical health concerns. In 2023, aseparate falland aconcerning incidentwhere McConnell seemed to freeze while responding to reporters also led McConnell to be hospitalized. McConnell’s most recent incident has drawn scrutiny from other representatives, including Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, whosent a letterto McConnell demanding an update on his health in early July. In the letter, Beshear said the people of Kentucky had grown “increasingly concerned” about McConnell’s ability to hold office. RelatedOfficials from the Office of Attending Physician said McConnell’s “bout with childhood polio” continues to be a “significant factor” in his mobility. McConnell addressed this limitationin a July statementwhen he acknowledged he has had ”more than my share of experience with physical vulnerabilities. "“Surviving childhood polio meant spending my entire life with mobility challenges. They haven’t exactly gotten easier to manage with age,” he continued. McConnell says he has ‘unfinished business’ during his remaining months in officeMcConnell announced inFebruary 2025that he would not seek an eighth term as a U. S. senator, but said in the remaining time of his current term he had “unfinished business to attend to. ”RelatedIn a July 2026 statement addressing his “fellow Kentuckians,” McConnell again referenced having “unfinished business” in the Senate. “You’re right to expect your representatives to work hard for you. And part of my decision to retire at the end of my term this coming January was being honest about the demands of Senate work,” McConnell said. “But I still have unfinished business to complete on your behalf, and I have every intention of finishing the job you elected me to do. ”While recovering at home, McConnell will not be able to vote on key issues on the Senate’s docket ahead of its five-week recess. The Senate is scheduled to return to legislative session on Sept. 14. It is unclear if and when McConnell will fully return.