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Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell sustained minor injuries Tuesday following a fall at the Capitol, marking the latest in a series of health-related incidents for the 82-year-old Kentucky senator.
“Leader McConnell tripped following lunch. He sustained a minor cut to the face and sprained his wrist. He has been cleared to resume his schedule,” a spokesperson for McConnell said in a statement.
Incident at the Capitol
McConnell fell while walking from a closed-door GOP lunch to the Senate floor, according to a source familiar with the situation. Medical personnel were called to his office shortly after he returned, and an ambulance was briefly stationed outside the Capitol.
“He is fine, he’s in his office, and any other questions about Sen. McConnell I’ll refer to staff,” said incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune during a GOP press conference.
Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, a physician who was with McConnell at the time, also confirmed that the senator was doing well. “He walked back from lunch, back to his office,” Barrasso noted.
A source added that McConnell has had a weakness in one leg stemming from his childhood battle with polio, which may contribute to his susceptibility to falls.
Health History and Leadership Transition
This incident adds to a growing list of health concerns for McConnell. Last year, he was treated for a concussion after a fall at a Washington, D.C., hotel, and CNN reported additional falls that year. Additionally, McConnell experienced two highly publicized moments where he froze while speaking to reporters, raising concerns about his health.
McConnell will remain Senate GOP leader until the new Congress convenes in early January, when Sen. John Thune will take over the role. Despite stepping down from leadership, McConnell intends to serve out his Senate term, which runs until January 2027.
The long-serving senator has faced increasing scrutiny regarding his health, but his office remains adamant that he is capable of fulfilling his duties. For now, McConnell’s focus appears to be on continuing his work in the Senate and supporting a seamless leadership transition to Thune.
