After more than three months away from Washington, D.C., Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) returned to the Capitol Monday–putting an end to months of questions about whether he would come back at all.
McConnell Returns
As reported on Tuesday’s AM Update, the 84-year-old former Senate leader was seen leaving his D.C. home in a wheelchair, flashing a thumbs-up before being helped into an SUV and driven to the Capitol building.
Ahead of the vote, Sen. McConnell told reporters it was “time to get back to work” and “finish the job for this Congress.” He identified the Farm Bill and continued support for NATO allies fighting Russia among his priorities.
The senator arrived on the Senate floor just minutes before casting the deciding ‘yes’ vote to advance the nomination of Matthew Byrne, President Trump’s pick to serve as a federal judge in southern Ohio. The 47-46 tally cleared the final procedural hurdle needed before Byrne could face a separate confirmation vote in the coming days.
McConnell’s return came after he released a statement describing the last three months as “long and often frustrating process” and acknowledging he is still not fully recovered. He added he will continue physical therapy, while promising Senate Majority Leader John Thune that he will do his best to return for close votes whenever Republicans need him.
Months of Questions
The Bluegrass State senator was hospitalized June 14 after falling inside his D.C. home and briefly losing consciousness. He later revealed that doctors also treated him for a mild case of pneumonia. EMT dispatches from the scene reported a cardiac arrest and that CPR was administered. McConnell later denied that he had a heart attack.
The senator was eventually transferred to a rehabilitation facility and returned home in early August to continue his recovery. The lack of public information surrounding his condition fueled intense speculation during his absence. McConnell gave no interviews and his office released only two photographs of him during his recovery.
His return comes at a critical moment for Senate Republicans ahead of a major vote Tuesday on cryptocurrency legislation. McConnell’s vote is expected to prove essential Wednesday as well when Republicans make another attempt to advance their stalled Farm Bill out of committee. The previous committee vote fell one vote short during his absence, forcing party leaders to postpone another attempt until his return.
McConnell is in the final months of a Senate career that has spanned more than four decades. He had previously announced he was retiring when his term expires in January after a record 18 years leading Senate Republicans.
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