McConnell says childhood polio is complicating his recovery

McConnell cites NATO, Ukraine as work he intends to resume

WASHINGTON—Sen. Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) disclosed in a written statement on X on Monday that his recovery from a fall in June has been complicated by the lingering effects of childhood polio, returning to the U.S. Capitol to vote for the first time in three months in a wheelchair.

McConnell, 84, arrived flanked by his chief of staff and a longtime aide. He addressed reporters in brief remarks outside the Senate chamber that Senate officials did not allow to be videotaped. The Wall Street Journal reported his speech “wasn’t clearly enunciated and at times hard to make out.”

“I must admit, after two years of—decades actually—of dodging your questions, I wasn’t sure how many of you would be here today,” McConnell joked to reporters. “Time to get back to work, to finish the job for this Congress,” he said, citing the farm bill and backing NATO and Ukraine. He didn’t take questions.

On the Senate floor, Republicans and Democrats greeted McConnell. Sen. John Kennedy (R., La.) placed a hand on his shoulder and said, “Well, we’re in trouble now,” the Journal reported. Kennedy told McConnell his new nickname is “the Rock.” Seated in his wheelchair, McConnell gave a thumbs-up during the first vote, a procedural measure on confirming a federal judge.

In a statement on X announcing his return, McConnell said his recovery “has been a long and often frustrating process, and the lingering effects of childhood polio haven’t made it any easier.” He said he wasn’t “quite back to 100%” but had told party leadership he would try to be present for critical votes while continuing physical therapy.

The former Senate majority leader was hospitalized June 14 after he briefly lost consciousness and fell. His office provided little information for weeks, fueling speculation that he was in a coma or otherwise incapacitated. On July 12, McConnell released a statement that his lengthy Senate absence and hospitalization had been due to a fall and a subsequent bout of pneumonia. In recent years, McConnell has suffered repeated falls, a concussion and public freezing episodes.

McConnell’s office had also released photos of the senator and his wife, Elaine Chao, but he hadn’t appeared publicly before Monday. Several allies said they had spoken with him while he was recovering.

McConnell was discharged from a rehabilitation center last month. At the time, McConnell said he would “continue to engage with my staff and colleagues on important Senate business” but didn’t specify a timeline for his return. He isn’t seeking re-election, and his term ends at the beginning of January.

McConnell’s absence put further pressure on Republicans’ already tight Senate majority. The absence of McConnell and another Republican senator prevented a farm bill from advancing from the Senate Agriculture Committee to the floor last month.