Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., returned to the Senate on Monday to cast his first vote since June, ending months of uncertainty over when the 84-year-old lawmaker would resume his duties after a fall left him hospitalized and later sidelined by pneumonia and rehabilitation.
Monday marked the first day back for the full Senate following a month-long recess. In a statement, McConnell confirmed he would “cast my first Senate vote since I took a bad fall back in June.”
“I’m really looking forward to being back on the Senate floor and seeing my colleagues. My recovery has been a long and often frustrating process, and the lingering effects of childhood polio haven’t made it any easier,” McConnell said.
He added that he had told Senate Majority Leader John Thune he would try to show up for difficult votes even as his recovery continues.
“I’m still not quite back to 100%, but I’ve assured Leader Thune that, as I continue with physical therapy on the advice of my doctors, I will do my best to be present for tough votes when our Conference needs me,” he said.
McConnell also thanked constituents back home. “Elaine and I are very grateful for all the continued well wishes from all our fellow Kentuckians, and I’m glad to get back to more of business as usual on their behalf this month,” he said.
McConnell had been absent from Senate floor votes and committee work since early June, after a fall at his Washington, D.C., home led to hospitalization. His recovery was further delayed when he developed pneumonia and subsequently entered rehabilitation.
His return arrives as Senate Republicans prepare to take up a large farm aid and funding package this week. The measure previously failed to advance without McConnell’s vote, underscoring how thin the GOP’s margin has been in his absence.
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