Senator Mitch McConnell has been discharged from a rehabilitation center following a fall that led to his hospitalization, he announced on Thursday. The 84-year-old Republican, whose weeks-long absence from Capitol Hill has raised questions about his health, said he will continue his recovery at home.
Recovery at Home
McConnell's office released a statement in which he said he would maintain an intensive regimen of physical therapy at home during the state work period. He added that he would continue to engage with staff and colleagues on Senate business.
His absence, now spanning 53 days, has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers in both parties. Kentucky's Democratic governor, Andy Beshear, publicly urged McConnell to release more information about his health, expressing concern about his ability to hold office.
Hospitalization and Diagnosis
McConnell was admitted to the hospital on 14 June. Initially, his office provided few details, saying only that he was continuing to improve. A month later, he disclosed that a fall at his home and a mild case of pneumonia had prompted the hospitalization and extended absence. In late July, his office said he had not yet been cleared to return to work.
Impact on Senate Agenda
McConnell's absence narrows Republicans' path to confirming Todd Blanche as US attorney general, a vote expected before the Senate recess. McConnell, a former Senate majority leader, remains one of the most prominent figures in Congress.
