Senator Mitch McConnell, the 83-year-old Kentucky Republican, has been hospitalised with flu-like symptoms, his spokesperson confirmed. David Popp said in a statement that McConnell checked himself into a local hospital for evaluation on Monday evening as a precaution after experiencing symptoms over the weekend.
Popp described McConnell's prognosis as positive, adding that he is grateful for the care he is receiving. The senator missed votes on Monday and Tuesday and is in regular contact with his staff, though it remains unclear when he will return to Senate business.
McConnell, who survived polio as a child, has faced several health incidents in recent years, including falls and moments when he froze on camera. In October 2024, he fell in a Capitol hallway, and he has previously suffered a sprained wrist and a concussion from falls.
First elected to the Senate in 1984, McConnell is Kentucky's longest-serving senator and was the longest-serving Senate leader, stepping down from that role in 2024. He announced nearly a year ago that he would not seek re-election, with his term ending in January 2027.
McConnell's hospitalisation comes amid broader concerns about the age of US lawmakers. A recent NBC News review found 24 members of Congress aged 80 or older, with 13 running for re-election. A 2023 Pew Research Center survey showed 79% of Americans favour a maximum age limit for elected officials.
