McConnell provides health update after long unexplained absence

McConnell, 84 — who has been absent from the Senate since he was hospitalized on June 14 — also provided a photo of himself with a statement explaining his condition. His absence and hospitalization have been speculated on intensely in recent weeks, especially after it was reported that emergency services responded to a case of cardiac arrest at his home.

McConnell, who is a polio survivor, sought to put the speculation over his health to rest.

“[L]ast month, I took a fall which landed me in the hospital,” McConnell said in the statement to his constituents. “My doctors have confirmed that I didn’t break any bones or suffer a concussion. I didn’t have a heart attack or a stroke. I don’t have any tumors or hemorrhages. But I was briefly unconscious and was taken to the hospital.”

The former Senate GOP leader said he also “had to deal with a mild case of pneumonia” while in the hospital. In a photo released with his statement, McConnell is holding a copy of the Sports section of the July 12 edition of The Washington Post.

McConnell is the longest-serving party leader in Senate history. He stepped down from the leader post at the beginning of this Congress, handing the reins to Sen. John Thune, R-S.D.

Last week, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear requested that McConnell provide an update on his health and fitness to serve after the senator’s office provided sparse updates on his condition throughout his hospitalization, leaving questions about his condition swirling.

McConnell said in the statement that he remains fit to serve, but will not return to the Senate yet.

“As much as it frustrates me, this process takes time. And on the advice of my doctors, I won’t be able to return to the Senate floor to vote quite yet,” he said. “But rest assured that, in the meantime, I’m not taking a break from the Senate business that matters to you. I’ve been working closely with my legislative staff on current issues, and with my Kentucky team who help me provide timely constituent services across our Commonwealth.”

McConnell will retire at the end of his term next year.