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Republican Senator Mitch McConnell suffered two falls while near the Senate chamber on Wednesday, according to reports.
The Kentucky Republican, 82, fell down a small set of stairs on as he was exiting the chamber after a confirmation vote for Housing and Urban Development Secretary nominee Scott Turner, according to Punchbowl News,
He was quickly assisted by Senators Steve Daines and Markwayne Mullin.
McConnell also fell while inside the chambers, the news outlet said, and he was later pictured being pushed around in a wheelchair. The Independent understands this to be a precautionary measure.
The reports come as concerns continue to mount about the senator’s ability to serve, following several public episodes in which he has appeared to freeze for several seconds while taking questions from reporters – leading to questions about his health.
In a statement, a spokesperson for McConnell told The Independent: “Senator McConnell is fine. The lingering effects of polio in his left leg will not disrupt his regular schedule of work.”
McConnell suffered a similar incident in December sustaining minor injuries after a fall at the Capitol. He was cleared to resume work, shortly after, though was later pictured with a band-aid on his left cheek.
McConnell, the longest-serving party leader in the upper chamber’s history, announced his intention to stand down from GOP party leadership in February 2024. However he has said he plans to serve out his Senate term, which ends in January 2027.
The octogenarian was away from the Senate for weeks in 2023 after tripping at a Washington dinner, resulting in a hospital stay for treatment of a concussion and minor rib fracture.
Twice later that year he famously froze up in public while speaking.
Source: independent.co.uk
