Mitch McConnell, the longest-serving senator in Kentucky’s historical past, has as soon as once more drawn public consideration over his well being following a latest hospitalization for flu-like signs, including to ongoing issues as he prepares to wind down his decades-long profession in Washington.
The 83-year-old lawmaker was admitted to a hospital in early February 2026 as a precaution after feeling unwell, based on his workplace, and subsequently missed a number of Senate votes whereas underneath medical statement. The replace comes simply months after McConnell suffered one other fall on the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 16, 2025, when he misplaced his stability in a hallway whereas heading to solid votes. Video captured him reaching for an aide earlier than collapsing to the ground, although he was helped up moments later and continued along with his duties.
The October fall added to a rising record of health-related incidents in recent times. In July 2023, McConnell made headlines after showing to freeze mid-sentence throughout a press convention, prompting aides to escort him away. Although he later returned and stated he was “fantastic,” an identical episode occurred roughly a month later. The precise reason behind these incidents has by no means been publicly disclosed.
Earlier in 2025, on February 20—his birthday—McConnell introduced he wouldn’t search re-election in 2026, marking the top of a Senate profession that has spanned almost 4 a long time. The politician shared his choice whereas on the Senate flooring, saying, “Seven instances my fellow Kentuckians have despatched me to the Senate. Day-after-day in between I’ve been humbled by the belief they’ve positioned in me to do their enterprise proper right here. Representing our commonwealth has been the respect of a lifetime. I cannot search this honor an eighth time. My present time period within the Senate shall be my final.”
In gentle of his choice to step down after an extended tenure, we’ve compiled all the main points we find out about McConnell’s well being. Maintain studying to find out about McConnell’s well being historical past.
Mitch McConnell is in a wheelchair after falling a number of instances at the moment pic.twitter.com/pDd03oBgQl
— Max Cohen (@maxpcohen) February 5, 2025
Mitch McConnell’s Falls
McConnell skilled one other fall on October 16, 2025, in a Senate workplace hallway whereas heading to solid votes. Footage captured him grabbing an aide’s arm earlier than shedding stability and falling. He was rapidly helped up and proceeded to vote, along with his workplace stating that he was “able to vote once more.”
This newest tumble provides to a troubling sample of incidents: McConnell has beforehand fractured his shoulder (2019), suffered a concussion and rib damage after a fall in 2023, slipped exiting a aircraft at Ronald Reagan Washington Nationwide Airport later that very same 12 months, and in late 2024 harm his wrist and lower his face throughout a Senate occasion.
In February 2025, he fell twice within the Capitol after votes, briefly requiring use of a wheelchair. A spokesperson from McConnell’s crew assured the general public that he was “fantastic” and identified that the “lingering results of polio in his left leg won’t disrupt his common schedule of labor,” based on NBC Information.
Mitch McConnell’s Coronary heart Surgical procedure
In 2003, McConnell underwent elective coronary artery bypass surgical procedure, per Roll Name. On the time, Dr. Alan Spier famous that the politician’s “post-operative course can be uncomplicated and the prognosis for full and unrestricted restoration is great.”
Mitch McConnell’s Polio Historical past
When he was a toddler, McConnell suffered from a polio assault in 1944, and his higher left leg was paralyzed by the illness. Although paralysis is a much less widespread facet impact of the sickness, post-polio syndrome can comply with a affected person years after they’ve recovered from the virus.
In an previous marketing campaign commercial, McConnell identified that his household “virtually went broke” whereas attempting to pay for the prices associated to his polio.
Is Mitch McConnell Retiring?
Sure, on February 20, 2025, McConnell formally introduced he won’t run for re-election in 2026, saying that his present Senate time period (ending January 2027) shall be his final.
