Almost immediately after the sudden and shocking death of his colleague from South Carolina, Senator Lindsey Graham, Senator Mitch McConnell announced what is happening with his own health. The long-serving GOP legislator from Kentucky was hospitalized nearly a month ago for undisclosed reasons. Per CNN, a video surfaced days ago allegedly showing McConnell, 84, being taken out of his Washington, D.C., home to an ambulance on a stretcher. Since then, little information has been made public about his situation. Speculation and concern about his well-being have swirled for weeks.
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McConnell Released a Statement
The senator issued a lengthy, detailed, and gracious statement on
Facebook describing his physical circumstances. He is shown in a photo sitting in a chair, propped up with a pillow. McConnell is wearing a red-and-white shirt and actually looks quite alert and well. Seated right next to him clad in a white blouse is his wife, Elaine Chao. She has a hand resting protectively on McConnell's arm. The two have been married since 1993.McConnell wrote in part, "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."
He's in Rehab Now
He also explained. "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."
Furthermore, McConnell added, "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."
McConnell Says He Is Still Keeping Tabs on Official Business While He Recovers
In the statement, Mitch McConnell assures everyone that he is still actively in contact with his Washington staff, his team at home on Kentucky, and his colleagues. The senator ended his message with this. "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."
