Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell reportedly fell during a Republican luncheon in the U.S. Capitol on December 10, 2024. The incident indeed had raised concerns about his health in view of his previous medical history. Fortunately, reports claimed that McConnell sustained only minor bruises and was cleared to return to his schedule shortly after.
Details of the incident
McConnell, 82, had just exited a weekly GOP lunch and tripped and fell, suffering a minor laceration on his face and spraining his wrist, a source said. It appeared to onlookers that he slipped while transitioning from the private lunch back out onto the Senate floor. After the fall, medical personnel were spotted entering his office, and an ambulance was staged outside the Capitol but quickly left.
Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming, who also attended the same lunch where McConnell fell, described him as “fine” and further said that he was walking on his own back to his office. Barrasso reassured reporters by saying that McConnell was “very alert and responsive”, even though the incident looked quite serious.
Health issues of the Senate Minority Leader
Of course, this fall is not the first incident McConnell has had in recent years. McConnell is a survivor of polio and has made public the complications with mobility the disease has caused. In March 2023, he suffered a concussion from falling in a hotel in Washington D.C. which required his hospitalization and rehabilitation. There have also been instances where McConnell seems to freeze during speaking events that have led many to question his overall health.
In response to these health concerns, McConnell has gone on record stating that he is “fully recovered” from the earlier incidents and is committed to serving out his time in the Senate until the end of his term in January 2027. Despite this, the latest incident has raised fresh concerns about his suitability for the office.
Colleague’s responses
After the fall, Senate Republicans released a statement saying senators were keeping McConnell’s health in their thoughts. Newly-elected Senate Republican Leader John Thune said McConnell was “in good spirits” and asked reporters to send any other questions to McConnell’s staff. Thune will take over leadership from McConnell with the beginning of the new Congress in January.
Senator John Barrasso also sent best wishes in saying that McConnell was fine from the fall. He, notwithstanding age and health history, said it is a fact that McConnell, being a senior leader of the party, has been resilient to his role.
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