Big Update On McConnell’s Health
Nearly three weeks after being hospitalized following a medical emergency, former Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell is continuing to recover, with his office saying the longtime Kentucky senator remains engaged in Senate business while receiving medical care.
A statement released Thursday by McConnell spokesman David Popp said the 84-year-old Republican is grateful for the many messages of support he has received from friends, colleagues, and constituents across the country.
According to the statement, McConnell’s health continues to improve while he remains under medical care. Despite his hospitalization, he is staying in close contact with his staff and continues working on issues affecting both Kentucky and the U.S. Senate while lawmakers are away for the Independence Day recess.
The latest update marks the first confirmation from McConnell’s office since June 14 that he remains hospitalized. At the time, aides announced only that he had been admitted and was receiving excellent medical care.
No additional details have been released regarding the nature of his illness, and his office has not identified the hospital where he is being treated.
Questions about McConnell’s condition increased after media reports cited emergency dispatch audio indicating first responders were called to his Washington, D.C., home on June 14 for an unconscious individual. The dispatch reportedly referenced CPR being performed and mentioned a possible cardiac arrest.
However, McConnell’s office has declined to comment on those reports or confirm the circumstances surrounding the emergency response.
The veteran lawmaker has not appeared in the Senate since before his hospitalization. Congress is currently observing its Independence Day recess, with senators scheduled to return to Washington on July 13.
Earlier this month, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he had spoken directly with McConnell and described him as remaining engaged with legislative matters despite recovering away from Capitol Hill.
McConnell stepped down as Senate Republican leader in January 2025 after serving nearly two decades at the helm of the GOP conference, making him one of the longest-serving party leaders in Senate history.
Last year, he also announced he would not seek an eighth term in office, confirming that he plans to retire when his current Senate term ends in January.
Over the past several years, McConnell has dealt with a number of widely reported health issues, including multiple falls, several instances where he briefly paused and appeared to freeze during public remarks, and an eight-day hospital stay earlier this year after experiencing what his staff described as flu-like symptoms.
He has also frequently used a wheelchair while traveling through the Capitol in recent months, though he has continued participating in Senate business whenever possible.
For now, McConnell’s office says the longtime Kentucky Republican remains focused on his recovery while continuing to monitor legislative developments from the hospital. Supporters across Kentucky and throughout Washington will be watching closely for further updates on his condition and eventual return to public service.
