Mitch McConnell discharged from rehabilitation center, continues recovery at home
Published in Health & Fitness
Sen. Mitch McConnell was discharged from a rehabilitation center Thursday and is continuing his recovery at home following his June hospitalization, his office announced.
McConnell said in a statement that he and his wife Elaine Chao are grateful for the well-wishes from friends, colleagues and Kentuckians, as well as the care he received from hospital staff.
However, the 84-year-old did not specify when he would return to the Senate.
“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 was first hospitalized June 14, and his office released few details other than to say he was receiving “excellent care.” After weeks of speculation, McConnell released a statement July 12 saying he was recovering from a fall at home and a case of pneumonia.
Throughout his prolonged absence, Democrats and Republicans alike have demanded more transparency from Kentucky’s senior senator. That includes Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, who sent a letter July 27 asking for McConnell to release more details about his health condition, or resign from office.
Still, Beshear has faced online criticism demanding him to “do something” about McConnell’s absence, with some speculation it could harm a 2028 presidential campaign. If a vacancy is declared, Kentucky law dictates that the seat would have to be filled by special election, which would need to be called by the governor.
Without an official vacancy, Beshear has said there’s not much he can do.
Meanwhile, Kentucky Republicans defended McConnell Saturday during the 146th St. Jerome Fancy Farm Picnic, where many politicians credited him with their successful careers. He has attended the annual event in Western Kentucky for decades, but had to miss his final picnic as a sitting U.S. senator due to his ongoing recovery.
McConnell’s absence has been notable in the Senate, specifically with passing the next Farm Bill. The Senate Agriculture Committee, which McConnell sits on, failed to pass the GOP-led farm bill out of committee Thursday because of McConnell’s absence and opposition from Democrats, according to reporting from Politico.
Without McConnell, Republicans needed at least one Democratic vote to advance the bill. But Democrats refused to cave because Republicans didn’t include a two-year delay for states to start sharing the cost of providing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.
The Senate is expected to start its August recess Thursday and return Sept. 14.
Sen. John Boozman, a Republican from Arkansas who chairs the committee, told reporters he expects the committee to vote on the bill again when the Senate returns in September, according to reporting from Notus.
McConnell is not seeking reelection in November. Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Barr and Democratic candidate Charles Booker are the two candidates vying to replace him.
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