U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) remains unable to return to the Senate floor to vote and has not made an in-person public appearance since his June 14 hospitalization, leaving Republicans with an effective 51-47 voting advantage following the death of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina).
McConnell’s office posted two written statements Sunday under the senator’s name, one detailing his health and another mourning Graham. The health statement provided the first detailed public explanation of his condition after nearly four weeks of limited disclosure, but McConnell did not speak on camera, answer reporters’ questions or provide a date for his return to Washington.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, McConnell was hospitalized June 14. His office initially said he was receiving excellent care but disclosed little else. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) later asked McConnell to provide a transparent update as public questions grew about the 84-year-old senator’s condition and ability to return to work.
Written update details fall and pneumonia
In the statement posted to McConnell’s official Senate website, McConnell said a fall at home left him briefly unconscious. He said doctors ruled out broken bones, a concussion, a heart attack, a stroke, tumors and hemorrhages.
The physician’s office said McConnell developed pneumonia early in his hospitalization and responded rapidly to antibiotics. It said he moved from the hospital to a rehabilitation facility for intensive physical therapy and work intended to reduce the risk of future falls.
“And on the advice of my doctors, I won’t be able to return to the Senate floor to vote quite yet,” the written statement attributed to McConnell said.
McConnell said he remains in contact with his staff and Senate colleagues. He also repeated his plan to finish the term, which ends in January 2027, but did not give a timeline for returning to the Capitol or appearing publicly.
Office releases tribute to Graham
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Graham died Saturday after a brief and sudden illness at age 71. Preliminary findings from the D.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said he died from an aortic dissection caused by arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Two absences raise stakes for Senate Republicans
Graham’s death left one Senate seat vacant, while McConnell’s continued absence left Republicans with 51 members available to vote, compared with the 47-member Democratic caucus.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, President Donald Trump urged South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster to appoint Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, as the interim senator. McMaster was scheduled to announce his selection at 4 p.m. EDT Monday.
Once sworn in, the appointee would fill Graham’s vacant seat, but McConnell’s absence would continue to reduce the number of Republicans available to vote.
The two absences could complicate work on defense and national security legislation, Russia sanctions, a lapsed federal surveillance program and President Donald Trump’s nominees during a compressed four-week Senate session.
