On Thursday, staff for Republican Senator Mitch McConnell from Kentucky did not clarify whether he would return following the August recess.
They provided a press release dated August 6 regarding his rehabilitation but mentioned “no additional guidance or announcements” pertaining to his health or possible return. Since being hospitalized on June 14 due to a fall at his home in Washington, D.C., McConnell has not made any public appearances or participated in Senate votes.
Reports indicated that paramedics had performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in response to a “cardiac arrest,” based on a District Fire and EMS dispatch call.
The Senate is set to reconvene after its August break on Monday.
During the public’s concerns over McConnell’s health, staff released two photos showing him in the hospital with his wife, former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. On July 7, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, and CNN’s Scott Jennings stated they had spoken with McConnell for about 20 minutes, discussing various topics.
McConnell’s staff later sent an email containing all their statements, which suggested coordinated communication.
The Daily Caller News Foundation (DCNF) had requested a video interview with McConnell on July 8, prompting staff to indicate they would keep the request in mind. As of Thursday, there has been no follow-up regarding this interview request.
McConnell was discharged from the hospital on August 6 and began physical therapy.
Chao, during her marriage to McConnell, has reportedly held at least four Chinese government positions appointed by officials in the Chinese Communist Party since 2008. She did not disclose these roles during her Senate confirmation hearing in January 2017, where she was required to list all positions held in the preceding decade.
While McConnell was hospitalized, Chao did not return immediately from her trip to China, claiming it did not require her urgent presence.
It’s worth noting that McConnell has been hospitalized multiple times since 2023 and had an incident in July 2023 where he froze mid-speech. In February 2025, he announced that he would not run for reelection.
