Senator Mitch McConnell Hospitalized Since June 14; Office Says He Is Improving

Senator Mitch McConnell was admitted to a hospital in the Washington area on June 14 and has not been seen publicly since. His office has released only brief statements that he is continuing to improve and remains engaged with Senate business. The office stated that McConnell appreciates an outpouring of support and continues working with staff on Senate and Kentucky matters.

The Senate returns from recess on Monday for a four-week session focused on defense spending, national security, and government funding measures. McConnell chairs the Senate rules committee and a defense appropriations panel. Without his vote, Republicans lose one seat on the defense appropriations panel, where they hold a one-seat edge despite a 53-47 Senate majority.

Senate majority leader John Thune said this week that he had spoken with McConnell and found him alert. Republican whip John Barrasso said the same. President Trump stated he had no idea how McConnell was faring.

Kentucky’s Democratic governor published an open letter urging McConnell to provide reassurance to constituents about his health and ability to hold office. Congressional leaders have signaled that another short-term spending measure may be needed to avoid a government shutdown after 1 October. McConnell was the longest-serving party leader in Senate history.

He suffered a concussion after a fall in 2023, froze while speaking to reporters later that year, sprained his wrist in another fall, and spent more than a week in hospital earlier this year with flu-like symptoms. Emergency dispatch audio indicates first responders were sent to McConnell's home after reports of an unconscious person and that CPR was under way, Reuters reported.

CNN released video on Friday showing a person on a stretcher being loaded into an ambulance, though the face was not visible.

McConnell's office has neither confirmed nor denied those reports.