WASHINGTON — Sen. Mitch McConnell was all smiles Monday as he posed for a photo demonstrating his recovery from a fall at his Capitol Hill home last month.
The 84-year-old has not yet been medically cleared to return to the Senate, which is scheduled to leave DC for a five-week recess beginning Aug. 10.
McConnell (R-Ky.) will miss Tuesday’s memorial service for his late colleague, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), at Washington National Cathedral — as well as Saturday’s Fancy Farm picnic, the traditional start of the fall campaign season in Kentucky.
“I’m still working hard to get back to my full schedule of work in the Senate and in Kentucky, keeping up with intense physical therapy per my doctors’ orders. Unfortunately, that means I won’t be able to make it to Fancy Farm, Kentucky this Saturday,” he said.
“There’s no place I’d rather be on the first Saturday in August than with the good people of western Kentucky, feasting on pork and mutton,” McConnell added. “As always, I appreciate all of your continued well wishes, and I’m looking forward to getting back to the Senate and to Kentucky soon.”
In a separate statement, the Capitol’s Office of Attending Physician said that its doctors are visiting with McConnell every day “discussing all aspects of his rehabilitation care.”
“Since his discharge from hospital care, he has maintained a strenuous course of physical therapy and rehabilitation, including multiple sessions a day designed to rebuild strength and reduce the risk of future falls,” the OAP added. “His bout with childhood polio continues to be a significant factor in his mobility.”
McConnell, who posed for Monday’s photo with his wife, former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, is entering the final months of his 42-year Senate career, having opted not to run for another term this November.
Monday’s update on McConnell’s health was the first to come from his office in 15 days, and the silence had fueled speculation about the Republican’s health.
McConnell was initially hospitalized June 14, after taking a tumble that briefly left him unconscious.
Because the Senate does not practice proxy voting, the Republican’s absence has narrowed the GOP majority by one, to 52-47.
