McConnell Discharged From Rehab After Fall, Plans Return to Senate Next Week

The 84-year-old Republican from Kentucky, who was hospitalized earlier this month after a fall, said he would spend the next several days at home before returning to the Capitol.

"I've been discharged," McConnell said, pausing briefly to address the small press corps gathered outside the facility. He declined to elaborate on the specifics of his recovery but noted that his return to Washington was imminent, expected sometime next week.

The Senate minority leader was admitted to the hospital on March 8 after tripping at a private dinner event in Washington. The fall resulted in a concussion and a rib fracture, according to aides, prompting a transfer to the rehabilitation center where he has spent the intervening weeks undergoing physical therapy.

His absence has left a temporary leadership vacuum in the Senate's Republican conference, with his deputies, including Senator John Thune of South Dakota, stepping in to manage floor proceedings and negotiate with Democrats. McConnell's office has provided few public updates on his condition, maintaining that his recovery was progressing steadily.

A Long Political Career, A New Health Chapter

The incident marks the latest health scare for the longest-serving Senate party leader in American history. McConnell, who was first elected to the Senate in 1984, has previously battled polio as a child, which has long affected his mobility. He has also faced questions about his age and stamina in recent years, though he has given no indication of stepping down before his term ends in 2027.

Colleagues on both sides of the aisle have sent well wishes, and McConnell said he was grateful for the support. He thanked the medical staff at the facility by name, though he did not disclose the location, and noted that his doctors had cleared him to travel.

His return to Washington will come at a critical juncture, with the Senate set to take up a series of spending bills and judicial nominations in the coming weeks. Republicans hold a narrow majority, making McConnell's vote and his leadership on party discipline essential to advancing their agenda.

For now, McConnell said he planned to rest at his home in Kentucky, continue his physical therapy, and "get back in the saddle" before the next vote. "I'll be there soon," he said, offering a wave as he stepped into a waiting SUV.