By McKenna Horsley
Kentucky Lantern
July 12, 2026
Kentucky U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell said in a Sunday statement he fell before he was hospitalized last month and he has moved from being a hospital patient to “a rehabilitation center where I’ll keep regaining my strength.”
“My doctors have confirmed that I didn’t break any bones or suffer a concussion. I didn’t have a heart attack or a stroke,” the Republican said. “I don’t have any tumors or hemorrhages. But I was briefly unconscious and was taken to the hospital. While receiving excellent care over the past several weeks, I’ve also had to deal with a mild case of pneumonia.”
The statement was the longest shared by McConnell’s team since he was hospitalized on June 14. The press release included a photo of the 84-year-old senator and his wife, former Secretary of Labor and Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao.
McConnell, who is a survivor of childhood polio, said that he has submitted to various tests to “help figure out what caused this incident.”
“And I’m continuing to do everything they ask to speed my recovery. In fact, with signs of continued progress, I’ve been able to move from hospital care to a rehabilitation center where I’ll keep regaining my strength,” he said.
At the advice of his doctors, McConnell will not return to voting on the Senate floor soon. The chamber is set to reconvene Monday.
“But rest assured that, in the meantime, I’m not taking a break from the Senate business that matters to you,” McConnell said. “I’ve been working closely with my legislative staff on current issues, and with my Kentucky team who help me provide timely constituent services across our Commonwealth. I’ve also been keeping in touch with my Senate colleagues on the appropriations process, midterm politics, and everything in between.”
McConnell previously said he planned to not seek reelection this year to the Senate seat he has held since 1984. Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Barr and Democratic former state Rep. Charles Booker will face off in the November election.
McConnell’s attending physician said in a statement that he has “experienced several falls throughout the year that have been attributed to his post-polio condition” and the senator was admitted to the hospital four weeks ago “after falling at home and sustaining minor injuries.”
“A comprehensive evaluation by a multidisciplinary team determined that he had no fractures, cardiac abnormalities, stroke, tumor, or hemorrhage. Early in his hospitalization, he developed pneumonia, which responded rapidly to antibiotic treatment,” the physician said. “The remainder of his hospital stay focused on physical therapy and strategies to reduce his risk of future falls. He has been medically cleared to continue fully participating in his intensive physical therapy program.”
McConnell and his staff have faced much public pressure into disclosing more about his condition after his hospitalization last month. Last week, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear sent McConnell’s office a letter “requesting an update on his health and well-being amid growing concerns around the Senator’s ability to serve,” a press release said.
On the national scene, rumors swirled about McConnell’s health, particularly as right-wing influencer Laura Loomer, who has a history of spreading conspiracy theories, posted on X last week a White House source told her the longtime senator is “brain dead.” After that McConnell allies, including Kentuckian and CNN commentator Scott Jennings, said they had 20-minute conversations with McConnell in recent days.
Questions about McConnell’s condition increased Sunday after U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, died at the age of 71 from “a brief and sudden illness,” according to his office. Republicans control the Senate with 53 seats.
Full statement from U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell
“To my fellow Kentuckians –
“When you elected me to a seventh term and made me our Commonwealth’s longest serving Senator, you did so trusting that I’d keep showing up to fight for you every day. And over the past several weeks, Elaine and I have appreciated both your well wishes and your honest questions about what was keeping me away from the Senate.
“You all know how folks of my generation often hesitate to share the vulnerability that comes with growing older. Even in the public eye, I feel that same instinct – I can’t help it.
“But at the same time, I’ve had more than my share of experience with physical vulnerabilities. Surviving childhood polio meant spending my entire life with mobility challenges. They haven’t exactly gotten easier to manage with age. And last month, I took a fall which landed me in the hospital.
“My doctors have confirmed that I didn’t break any bones or suffer a concussion. I didn’t have a heart attack or a stroke. I don’t have any tumors or hemorrhages. But I was briefly unconscious and was taken to the hospital. While receiving excellent care over the past several weeks, I’ve also had to deal with a mild case of pneumonia.
“I can assure you that I’ve been a good patient. At my age, I tend to do what my doctors tell me to do. I’ve submitted to every test they can think of to help figure out what caused this incident. And I’m continuing to do everything they ask to speed my recovery. In fact, with signs of continued progress, I’ve been able to move from hospital care to a rehabilitation center where I’ll keep regaining my strength.
“As much as it frustrates me, this process takes time. And on the advice of my doctors, I won’t be able to return to the Senate floor to vote quite yet. But rest assured that, in the meantime, I’m not taking a break from the Senate business that matters to you. I’ve been working closely with my legislative staff on current issues, and with my Kentucky team who help me provide timely constituent services across our Commonwealth. I’ve also been keeping in touch with my Senate colleagues on the appropriations process, midterm politics, and everything in between.
“You’re right to expect your representatives to work hard for you. And part of my decision to retire at the end of my term this coming January was being honest about the demands of Senate work. But I still have unfinished business to complete on your behalf, and I have every intention of finishing the job you elected me to do.
“I’ll keep working hard to get back on the Senate floor as soon as possible. And I’ll keep you posted on the progress of my recovery. Until then, I’m so grateful for your prayers and well wishes.”
Kentucky Lantern is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Kentucky Lantern maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Linda Blackford for questions: info@kentuckylantern.com.
