WATCH: Jarring Clip Suggests Mitch McConnell’s Health Struggles Are Worse Than Previously Believed
Senator Mitch McConnell, the longtime Republican leader from Kentucky, arrived at the Capitol on Monday in a wheelchair, wearing a brace on his left leg, marking the latest indication of ongoing health concerns for the 83-year-old lawmaker.
McConnell’s appearance follows his reported fall last week on the Senate steps after casting a vote to confirm Scott Turner as the new Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. The fall, which occurred shortly after the confirmation vote, prompted assistance from Senators Steve Daines of Montana and Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, both Republicans, who helped McConnell regain his footing.
A spokesperson for Kentucky’s senior senator confirmed last week that McConnell is “fine.” They added, “The lingering effects of polio in his left leg will not disrupt his regular schedule of work.”
McConnell, who has led Senate Republicans since 2007, has experienced several notable health incidents in recent years. In March 2023, he sustained a concussion and fractured rib after a fall at a Washington hotel, requiring a period of rehabilitation and physical therapy before returning to the Senate. Later that year, he appeared to freeze mid-sentence on two separate occasions during press conferences, raising further concerns about his condition. His office later attributed those episodes to lightheadedness.
In a video from Haley Talbot of CNN, McConnell was seen in a boot and wheelchair for Monday’s votes.
WATCH:
Sen McConnell in a boot and a wheelchair tonight for votes https://t.co/ZZhaUIFjjj pic.twitter.com/olSObElKd3
— haleytalbotcnn (@haleytalbotcnn) February 10, 2025
On Wednesday, the former Senate Republican Leader cast the lone GOP vote against the confirmation of Tulsi Gabbard as the nation’s top intelligence official. McConnell’s vote was a notable signal to his Republican colleagues.
The senator’s physical state, coupled with conversations about aging lawmakers in Washington, has contributed to a lengthy debate over term limits and the capacity of long-serving officials to manage the rigors of public office. Critics have characterized Congress as increasingly resembling an institution for the elderly, pointing to figures like McConnell and Senator Dianne Feinstein, the California Democrat who died in office in 2023 at the age of 90.
Washington DC, USA, January 6, 2015
He is the longest-serving senator in Kentucky’s history and held the position of Senate Republican Leader from 2007 to 2025, making him the longest-serving party leader in U.S. Senate history.
In February 2024, McConnell announced he would step down as the Senate Republican Leader in January 2025 but would continue serving as a senator until his term concludes in January 2027. Following his departure from the leadership role, McConnell has been vocal about foreign policy, urging the current administration to reject isolationism and prioritize military strength.
In an opinion piece for Louisville’s Courier-Journal, McConnell expressed significant reservations about President Trump’s trade policies. He highlighted that Trump’s “aggressive proposals leave big, lingering concerns for American industry and workers.”
Additionally, McConnell acknowledged the need for more robust action from America’s neighbors regarding border issues, stating, “It’s high time for America’s closest neighbors to take the crisis at our border seriously.” Despite this, he maintained his stance against tariffs, declaring, “But no matter our best intentions, tariffs are bad policy.”