Kentucky Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell shared a hospital photo and publicly addressed his condition, confirming that he had fallen following weeks of questions about his health.
In a statement, McConnell said the fall did not leave him with major fractures or serious injuries, though he disclosed that he was also treated for a mild case of pneumonia.
McConnell said doctors determined he had not broken any bones, suffered a concussion, had a heart attack or stroke, or been diagnosed with tumors or hemorrhaging. He said he was briefly unconscious after the incident and was transported to a hospital, where he received care while also managing mild pneumonia.
The senator said he remains under medical supervision and is following the guidance of his doctors as he recovers.
McConnell said he has complied with the tests and treatment recommended by his medical team as they work to determine what led to the episode. He added that his recovery has progressed enough for him to leave hospital care and move to a rehabilitation facility, where he plans to continue rebuilding his strength.
On Senate matters, McConnell said he has remained in communication with colleagues about issues ranging from the appropriations process to midterm politics and other legislative business.
He said constituents are right to expect their elected officials to work diligently on their behalf, adding that his decision to retire at the end of his term this coming January reflected an honest assessment of the demands of Senate service. Still, McConnell said he has unfinished work to do and intends to complete the responsibilities voters elected him to carry out.
CNN noted that the statement followed several weeks of scrutiny over McConnell’s health, as aides to the 84-year-old senator had closely guarded details about his condition.
McConnell’s health update comes just one day after his colleague, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), passed away due to a sudden illness.
