U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) speaks to reporters outside the Senate Chamber after he returned to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., September 14, 2026. REUTERS/Evan Vucci
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) described a "long and often frustrating process" of recovery after returning to the Senate on Monday.
It was the first time that the former Republican majority leader had been at the Capitol since a July 12 statement announced that he had been "briefly unconscious" at his home.
“Today, I’ll cast my first Senate vote since I took a bad fall back in June. I’m really looking forward to being back on the Senate floor and seeing my colleagues," McConnell told reporters.
“My recovery has been a long and often frustrating process, and the lingering effects of childhood polio haven’t made it any easier.I’m still not quite back to 100%, but I’ve assured Leader Thune that, as I continue with physical therapy on the advice of my doctors, I will do my best to be present for tough votes when our Conference needs me," he added.
The senator reportedly refused to take questions.