McConnell suffered a concussion in the fall and will be hospitalized for several days
Washington — Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell A spokesman for the senator said he suffered a concussion after tripping at a Washington hotel on Wednesday and will be hospitalized for several days.
The Kentucky senator, 81, was at a private dinner when he stumbled. He was taken to hospital for treatment.
“Leader McConnell stumbled at a dinner party Wednesday night and has been admitted to the hospital and is being treated for a concussion. He is expected to remain in the hospital for observation and treatment for several days,” the spokesperson said. Man’s David Popp said Thursday. “Leader is grateful for the care of the medical professionals and the warm wishes of his colleagues.”
On Wednesday night, McConnell attended a hosted reception and a separate private dinner. Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC he launched to help elect Republicans to the Senate. He first appeared in his ballroom at the Waldorf Franklin Room in Astoria, then at the hotel where he hosted another dinner for PAC’s biggest donors.
The Senate Leadership Fund was the largest TV and digital ad spender in the most important U.S. Senate election last fall, with $170 million in closing months in Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania I spent more than that on advertising.
A person who attended the reception told CBS News that McConnell greeted donors by saying “I’m glad you walked around” before addressing the crowd.
President Biden told reporters he had spoken with McConnell’s family and thought the senator would be fine.
Republican senators in the Capitol have expressed optimism that McConnell will make a full recovery and return to the Senate soon.
Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso told reporters, “He will be fine. He will be observed on concussion protocol. We expect him to make a full recovery.” “He’s awake and talking to people.”
In 2019, the Republican leader tripped and fell at his home in Kentucky, breaking his shoulder. At that time, he underwent surgery to repair a fracture in his shoulder. The Senate has just started summer break and he has been working from his home for several weeks while he recovers.
First elected in 1984, McConnell became the longest-serving Senate president when the new Congress convened in January, breaking the previous record of 16 years. He was Senate Majority Leader from his 2015 to his 2021, then became Minority Leader, a position he still holds today.
A taciturn McConnell is often hesitant to talk about his private life.But when starting COVID-19 crisis He confided in his childhood experience battling polio. He explained that his mother insisted that he keep his feet off when he was a toddler and worked with him through a determined physical therapy regimen. He admits to having difficulty climbing stairs in his adulthood.
The senator, who has an average age of 65, has recently absented several legislators due to illness.
Democratic Senator John Fetterman, 53, suffered a stroke during his campaign last year. Expected to be out for several weeks He was being treated for clinical depression. California Senator Diane Feinstein, 90, also said she was hospitalized last week for treatment for shingles.
The Democratic Party’s absence has proven to be a challenge for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (DN.Y.).
Republicans, being in the minority, have had an easy time with intermittent absences. It’s unclear if McConnell will be absent on Thursday or if it will affect the scheduled vote. Senator John Thune of South Dakota is the second-largest Republican in the Senate.
Ed O’Keefe contributed to this report.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mitch-mcconnell-hospitalized-concussion-fall/ McConnell suffered a concussion in the fall and will be hospitalized for several days