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Sen. Mitch McConnell hospitalized
Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., was hospitalized with flu-like symptoms, his office announced.
WASHINGTON - Senator Mitch McConnell’s office has released a health update stating that he’s still not ready to return to in-person work in the Capitol following his hospitalization last month.
The 84-year-old issued the statement on Monday.
McConnell releases health update
What they're saying:
"I’m still working hard to get back to my full schedule of work in the Senate and in Kentucky, keeping up with intense physical therapy per my doctors’ orders," McConnell, R-Ky., said in the statement on July 27. "Unfortunately, that means I won’t be able to make it to Fancy Farm, Kentucky this Saturday."
He continued, "There’s no place I’d rather be on the first Saturday in August than with the good people of western Kentucky, feasting on pork and mutton" – the state’s annual picnic.
Senator Mitch McConnell and his wife Secretary Elaine Chao on Sunday, July 26, 2026. (Credit: Mitch McConnell)
"When I first attended forty-two years ago, Fancy Farm was a pretty lonely place to be a Republican. But, my, how times have changed. Today, western Kentucky is a conservative Republican sea of red. So I hate that I’ll miss the fun this year, but I’m sending my best wishes to the St. Jerome community for a successful picnic," he continued, adding, "As always, I appreciate all of your continued well wishes, and I’m looking forward to getting back to the Senate and to Kentucky soon."
McConnell’s office also released a statement from the Office of the Attending Physician, stating that, "Senator McConnell continues his recovery from a fall at home in June. OAP physicians visit with the Senator every day, discussing all aspects of his rehabilitation care. Since his discharge from hospital care, he has maintained a strenuous course of physical therapy and rehabilitation, including multiple sessions a day designed to rebuild strength and reduce the risk of future falls. His bout with childhood polio continues to be a significant factor in his mobility. He is not yet medically cleared to leave the rehab facility and return to the office."
McConnell hospitalized last month
The backstory:
His health update comes after a series of medical episodes in recent weeks and years.
Last month, McConnell was taken to the hospital and admitted for undisclosed health issues.
The former GOP leader remained in the hospital for more than three weeks. Aides to McConnell declined to release any information about his condition, fueling speculation about his prognosis.
In 2023, the Kentucky senator also suffered a concussion after a fall at a local hotel and remained hospitalized "for a few days of observation and treatment," a spokesperson said. He also had two public episodes in 2023 where his face briefly froze while he was speaking.
RELATED: Sen. Mitch McConnell taken to the hospital
In 2019, the former GOP leader also tripped and fell at his home in Kentucky, suffering a shoulder fracture. At the time, he underwent surgery to repair the fracture in his shoulder.
In February 2024, McConnell revealed he would not seek reelection in 2025. He announced his decision not to seek another term in Kentucky in a speech on the Senate floor – on his 83rd birthday.
"One of life’s most underappreciated talents is to know when it’s time to move on to life’s next chapter," he shared. "So I stand before you today ... to say that this will be my last term as Republican leader of the Senate.
Despite no longer being the Majority Leader, he still serves as chair of the powerful Senate Rules Committee. McConnell, whose term is expiring, previously stated that he was not running for reelection.
McConnell is expected to retire at the end of his term in January.
This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.
The Source: The information for this story was provided by Mitch McConnell and the Office of the Attending Physician. This story was reported from Los Angeles.