After reporting flu-like symptoms over the weekend, Sen. Mitch McConnell, aged 83, booked himself into a hospital on Monday, February 2, as per David Popp, his spokesperson. The prognosis for the Kentucky senator is reported to be optimistic.
McConnell’s office revealed that he is maintaining regular communication with his staff and expressed gratitude for the high-quality care he is receiving.
McConnell’s hospitalization resulted in his absence from Senate votes on Monday and Tuesday, a notable absence during crucial legislative proceedings. His office shared that he anticipates returning to his Senate duties post-recovery.
This recent health concern adds to a growing list of medical incidents for McConnell, the Republican senator from Kentucky. He suffered a fall at the Capitol in December 2024, leading to a facial cut and a sprained wrist.
McConnell’s most recent fall took place on October 16, 2025, in a hallway in the Russell Senate Office Building basement as he was approached by an activist.
In February 2025, McConnell experienced two falls in a single day at the Capitol—first on stairs outside the Senate chamber following a confirmation vote, and later during a Republican conference lunch. McConnell used a wheelchair and wore a medical boot to move around the Capitol in February and March 2025 as a safety measure. His office attributed the mobility issues to the residual effects of polio, which he contracted at the age of two, causing partial paralysis of his left leg.
In 2023, McConnell was admitted to the hospital due to a concussion after falling at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington, D.C.
Also, in 2023, McConnell had two instances of becoming temporarily unresponsive while interacting with reporters, experiencing moments of lightheadedness during press conferences.
Despite these health setbacks, McConnell has remained actively involved in Senate activities, although his physical impairments have increasingly become visible.
McConnell’s political career, spanning over four decades, began with his election to the Senate in 1984. He holds the record for the longest-serving senator in Kentucky’s history, reflecting his political endurance and influence within his state.
McConnell headed the Senate Republican caucus from 2007 to 2025, exerting significant influence over legislative strategy, judicial confirmations, and party messaging. This made him one of the most commanding figures in American politics.
McConnell relinquished his role as Senate Republican leader last year, ending his long tenure at the conference’s helm. His successor, Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), assumed the role of Senate Majority Leader in January 2025. In February 2025, McConnell announced that he would not be running for reelection in 2026. His current term will end in January 2027, marking the culmination of an extraordinary political journey.
McConnell’s decision triggered a competitive race for his seat, with several notable candidates already declaring their intent to run, acknowledging the significance of replacing such a key figure in state and national politics.
McConnell is the third-oldest serving member of the Senate. Sen. Bernie Sanders is 84 and Sen. Chuck Grassley is 92, making him the oldest currently serving senator. The advanced age of several senators has reignited discussions about imposing term limits.
McConnell’s health struggles have led to increased scrutiny of age and fitness among Senate leadership. Several incidents involving elderly senators struggling with health issues while performing their legislative duties have been widely noted.
McConnell’s repeated falls underscore the potential risks for aging lawmakers who continue to serve despite physical limitations.
