Louisville, KY — U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader from Kentucky, fell down a set of stairs at the Senate on Wednesday, shortly after casting his vote to confirm a new Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
The incident occurred as McConnell was leaving the chamber following his vote. Chad Pergram fellow senators Steve Daines and Markwayne Mullin were nearby and quickly assisted McConnell after the fall. Despite the fall, McConnell was reportedly alert and appeared to be “okay,” Pergram said in his report.
A spokesperson for McConnell later addressed the situation, offering reassurance about the senator’s condition. “Senator McConnell is fine,” the spokesperson confirmed. “The lingering effects of polio in his left leg will not disrupt his regular schedule of work.”
McConnell, 81, has faced health challenges in the past, including the lasting effects of polio, which he contracted as a child. Despite this, he has remained an active figure in the Senate, maintaining a full schedule of legislative duties.
As the longest-serving Republican leader in Senate history, McConnell’s health and ability to continue his work are of significant public interest. However, his office emphasized that this incident will not prevent him from carrying out his duties in the coming days.
Senator McConnell’s swift recovery and ongoing commitment to his responsibilities come as no surprise to those familiar with his long career in Washington. His leadership has been marked by resilience, and it appears this fall will be no different in the impact it has on his role in the Senate.
