McConnell Returns to Senate After Three-Month Absence, Casts First Vote Since June Fall

Sen. Mitch McConnell, the 84-year-old Kentucky Republican and former majority leader, returned to the Senate floor Monday for the first time in more than three months, arriving in a wheelchair for an evening vote on a federal appeals court nominee. It was his first recorded floor vote since June 11. He told reporters it was “time to get back to work, finish the job of this Congress.” Colleagues surrounded him to shake hands after he was wheeled onto the floor. The Senate had just reconvened after a five-week summer recess.

McConnell’s office said he fell at his Capitol Hill home on June 14 and was taken by ambulance to George Washington University Hospital. He later developed pneumonia, spent weeks in rehabilitation, and was discharged home on Aug. 6 to continue therapy. In a July statement his office said he had not broken bones and had not suffered a concussion, heart attack, stroke, or hemorrhage. He made no public appearances between the hospitalization and Monday. He missed about 60 recorded votes in that span, including nominations, housing and Medicare measures, immigration procedures, and votes tied to the Iran campaign. He is a childhood polio survivor and has used a wheelchair at times in recent years. CNN described him as thinner, with slower speech than before the absence.

In a statement posted as he headed to the Capitol, McConnell said: “Today, I’ll cast my first Senate vote since I took a bad fall back in June. I’m really looking forward to being back on the Senate floor and seeing my colleagues. My recovery has been a long and often frustrating process, and the lingering effects of childhood polio haven’t made it any easier. I’m still not quite back to 100%, but I’ve assured Leader John Thune that, as I continue with physical therapy on the advice of my doctors, I will do my best to be present for tough votes when our Conference needs me.” He thanked Kentuckians for well wishes on behalf of himself and his wife, Elaine, and said he was glad to get back to “more of business as usual on their behalf this month.” To reporters he added, “After two years, two decades, actually, of dodging your questions, I wasn’t sure how many of you would be here today. So I’m glad to see you.” He pointed to finishing the farm bill and aid related to Ukraine. Sen. John Hoeven, who sits with him on Agriculture and Appropriations, said he expected McConnell for key votes this week, including a Wednesday Agriculture Committee mark on the farm bill. McConnell is not running again and is serving out his term. Majority Leader Thune had said earlier this month the conference wanted him back voting. McConnell did not commit to appearing on every roll call.