Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) took a fall on Wednesday evening during a dinner event. His office reports the 81-year-old Senator sustained a concussion and will remain hospitalized for “several days.”
McConnell’s spokesperson David Popp confirmed the senior senator “tripped at a local hotel during a private dinner” and “has been admitted to the hospital where he is receiving treatment.”
On Thursday morning, Popp added that McConnell will remain in the hospital for several days for “observation and treatment.”
McConnell, who has balance issues due to contracting polio as a child, fell at a Senate Leadership Fund dinner. The event was organized to raise funds to elect Republicans to the Senate and held at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington, D.C.
This is not the first time McConnell has fallen and injured himself. Four years ago, he fell at his home in Kentucky and fractured his shoulder.
On Thursday morning, spokesperson Popp reported: “Leader McConnell tripped at a dinner event Wednesday evening and has been admitted to the hospital and is being treated for a concussion. He is expected to remain in the hospital for a few days. Leader is grateful to the medical professionals for their care and to his colleagues for their warm wishes.”
The Hill reported that many senators did not receive information on McConnell’s condition for many hours.
“We just really don’t know much at this point,” Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD) told reporters late Wednesday. … We have very limited information on it. I’m sure we’ll get more.”
Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) also noted the lack of information on McConnell’s health condition, saying, “I understand that he’s resting up, but I don’t have any details.”
NBC News cryptically reported the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department transported an “adult male” from the Waldorf Astoria to a nearby hospital on Wednesday evening.
The Daily Wire reported “an unnamed member of the Senate … had been in touch with a McConnell family member and said that the lawmaker is ‘going to be OK.'”
On Thursday morning, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) wished McConnell a speedy and full recovery:
“My thoughts this morning are with my good friend Leader Mitch McConnell, who is recovering in the hospital after an accident last night. This morning I offer a prayer of strength and healing for the leader and his family. I called the leader this morning and spoke briefly with his staff to extend my prayers and well wishes.”
McConnell is the latest congressional representative to battle health challenges in recent months. The list includes Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), currently hospitalized to treat clinical depression, and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 89, who was hospitalized last week to treat shingles.
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