McConnell Provides Health Update After Multiple Falls At Capitol
Former Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, who stepped down from his leadership position last year due to growing health concerns, shared an update after reportedly experiencing multiple falls on Wednesday.
The 82-year-old Kentucky senator was later seen in a wheelchair following the incidents. According to reports, he stumbled down a short flight of stairs at least once while exiting the Senate chamber to attend a GOP luncheon, as reported by Express US.
“Fox confirms. McConnell falls down Senate stairs after voting to confirm Scott Turner as HUD Secretary. Unclear about injuries. But Fox is told he appears to be ok. McConnell was helped up by Sens. Steve Daines (R-MT) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK),” Fox News congressional correspondent Chad Pergram tweeted.
A statement from McConnell’s office clarified that he is utilizing a wheelchair “purely as a precautionary measure,” citing his history with polio.
“Senator McConnell is fine,” a spokesman for McConnell assured. “The lingering effects of polio in his left leg will not disrupt his regular schedule of work.”
Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) recounted the incident, saying, “I think he just slipped on the steps. I was right behind him and helped him get back up, and he walked on his own power to lunch.”
McConnell was later observed departing the luncheon on foot while holding onto an aide’s arm. However, members of the press later saw him returning to the venue in a wheelchair.
Earlier this year, McConnell stepped down as Senate Republican leader following a series of health setbacks. In December, he suffered another fall in the Capitol building after a luncheon with colleagues, sustaining a minor facial injury and a sprained wrist.
Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.), who took over as Senate GOP leader in January, reassured reporters after the weekly Senate GOP policy luncheon that McConnell was “fine” and “in his office.” He deferred further inquiries to McConnell’s staff.
Medical personnel with a wheelchair were called to assist McConnell following his fall. Republican Sen. John Barrasso, the new Senate GOP whip, told the Daily Mail that McConnell “is fine.” His office later confirmed that he had been “cleared to resume his schedule.”
Last year, McConnell made it clear that he’s “not leaving the Senate” and remains focused on countering the Republican Party’s “isolationist movement,” a remark interpreted by some as a critique of President-elect Donald Trump and his incoming administration.
During an interview with WHAS radio host Terry Meiners, McConnell emphasized his commitment to pushing back against GOP colleagues who seek to limit U.S. assistance to foreign allies like Israel and Ukraine.
Despite relinquishing his leadership role, McConnell reiterated, “I’m not leaving the Senate.” He added, “I’m particularly involved in actually fighting back against the isolationist movement in my own party and so many others as well.”
Meiners pointed out that Kentucky GOP Sen. Rand Paul has been vocal in his criticism of McConnell, accusing him of being disconnected from the interests of Kentucky residents.
“Paul would be the first one to say that he’s an isolationist. He has been all along. This is not anything new for him. And he and I have always disagreed on this kind of issue,” McConnell said in response to Paul’s remarks.
McConnell also expressed concern over the growing support for isolationist policies within the party, stating, “We’re not losing any of our troops. The Ukrainians are the ones doing the fighting. If the Russians take Ukraine, some NATO country would be next, and then we will be right in the middle of it.”