McConnell’s 3-Month Senate Return Remains Unclear as Recess Ends After June Fall
Updated
Updated · CNN · Sep 12
McConnell’s 3-Month Senate Return Remains Unclear as Recess Ends After June Fall
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Sep 12
Summary
Monday’s Senate return from a five-week recess still may not bring Mitch McConnell back to the Capitol, with his office declining to give any date for ending his three-month absence.
June 14 set the timeline: McConnell was hospitalized after a fall that briefly left him unconscious, later disclosed alongside a mild case of pneumonia before he moved to rehab and then home recovery in August.
James Comer fueled expectations last week by saying McConnell’s staff hoped the Kentucky senator would return when the Senate reconvenes, but spokesperson Stephanie Penn said there are “no scheduling announcements at this time.”
Kentucky has effectively had only 1 of its 2 Senate seats active during the absence, sharpening debate over how much health information lawmakers owe constituents when prolonged medical leave limits representation.
McConnell, who is retiring in January and has faced multiple recent health episodes tied in part to his post-polio condition, has said he still intends to finish his Senate term.