Mitch McConnell Returns to Senate After Recovery
Kentucky Republican Senator Mitch McConnell is back in the U.S. Senate after a nearly three-month absence due to a fall in June and a challenging recovery that involved a lot of quiet time. At 84, McConnell mentioned he’s “not quite back to 100%,” but it seems like there might be more to the story than just a little rust.
In a post on X, he expressed anticipation about returning to the Senate: “Today, I’ll cast my first Senate vote since I took a bad fall back in June. I’m really looking forward to being back on the Senate floor and seeing my colleagues.”
He elaborated on his situation during his return, saying, “My recovery has been a long and often frustrating process, and the lingering effects of childhood polio haven’t made it any easier. I’m still not quite back to 100%, but I’ve assured Leader Thune that, as I continue with physical therapy on the advice of my doctors, I will do my best to be present for tough votes.”
It’s striking to hear McConnell, a figure of leadership in the Senate, discuss his polio history. BlazeTV host Stu Burguiere remarked, “it’s incredible.” Co-host Dave Landau humorously added that McConnell has a lingering cough, comparing it to “bubonic plague.”
A video captured McConnell showing a blank stare while sitting in a van, and when reporters inquired about his well-being, he just continued to look ahead, seemingly lost in thought. The interaction didn’t inspire much confidence; Stu commented, “He does not look good, man. This sucks.”
Landau chimed in, joking that McConnell appeared ready to play the piano at a children’s venue, remarking, “Nothing says I’m going to do a competent vote like I took a bad fall in June and you haven’t seen me in three months.”
It’s a peculiar scenario for sure, but Burguiere emphasized that his intent wasn’t to mock. “This sucks, it sucks to get old, it sucks to go through this. The guy fell down. He’s out of commission for months. Quite clearly is out of it,” he reflected.
Burguiere also pointed out that this isn’t a new concern. He recalled instances from years ago where McConnell froze before cameras, leading him to believe, as he stated back then, that he should consider stepping down, a sentiment many likely shared.
