Mitch McConnell back in Senate to cast first vote since disappearing from public life in June
Former Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell returned to Capitol Hill on Monday, his first return to work since the Kentucky senator was hospitalized in June after suffering a fall.
The senator said in a statement that he would cast a vote Monday evening, when the chamber was set to vote on a nomination to fill an opening on a district court bench in Ohio, shortly before he spoke to reporters on the Hill.
“Today, I’ll cast my first Senate vote since I took a bad fall back in June. I’m really looking forward to being back on the Senate floor and seeing my colleagues,” said McConnnell in a statement released to news outlets.
“My recovery has been a long and often frustrating process, and the lingering effects of childhood polio haven’t made it any easier. I’m still not quite back to 100%, but I’ve assured Leader Thune that, as I continue with physical therapy on the advice of my doctors, I will do my best to be present for tough votes when our Conference needs me,” his statement continued. “Elaine and I are very grateful for all the continued well wishes from our fellow Kentuckians, and I’m glad to get back to more of business as usual on their behalf this month.”
McConnell, 84, remained in the hospital and later a rehab center for weeks before he was discharged in early August. During that time, he faced criticism including from his state’s Democratic governor, Andy Beshear, for letting information about his condition slowly trickle out while questions about his illness and ability to serve intensified. McConnell later said that he suffered pneumonia after his initial hospitalization.
Beshear repeatedly called on McConnell to release a video statement confirming his ability to return to work, but was rebuffed. The senator’s return to Capitol Hill was left a mystery until the Senate gaveled in Monday afternoon, with his aides only telling reporters that they “hoped” he would be able to return this week, unsure if it would occur.
The Senate is set to remain in Washington for three weeks before once again leaving town ahead of the midterm elections. The House of Representatives is set to depart at the end of the week, making progress on key legislative priorities a difficult prospect.
Video taken outside McConnell’s D.C. townhome showed him been wheeled out to a waiting car late Monday afternoon in front of a crowd of spectators and reporters, some of whom shouted questions while one person shouted “welcome back, senator”. He did not take questions or address reporters as he was quickly helped into a waiting van.
Moments later, McConnell arrived at the Senate, where he reportedly made a brief statement and did not take further questions from journalists.
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