McConnell Returns to Senate at 84, Reviving GOP Vote Math After 3-Month Health Absence
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · Sep 18
McConnell Returns to Senate at 84, Reviving GOP Vote Math After 3-Month Health Absence
3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Sep 18
Summary
Monday’s return put Mitch McConnell back on the Senate floor after a summer absence caused by a June fall and pneumonia, easing a key Republican staffing and vote-counting problem.
At 84, the Kentucky Republican quickly resumed talking about preserving the filibuster and sustaining U.S. support for Ukraine, prompting one colleague to call the exchange “classic Mitch.”
A farm-bill committee vote briefly fueled fresh online questions about his mental state, but Sen. John Hoeven said McConnell voted correctly and needed no correction.
Senate Republicans said they were relieved to have him back as the chamber works for two more weeks before a recess lasting more than a month until after November’s midterm elections.
McConnell, who is not seeking reelection, has said he wants to “finish the job” before ending his more than 40-year Senate tenure in January.