Skip to Content

Mitch McConnell discharged from hospital after treatment for concussion and rib fracture

MGN
Originally Published: 13 MAR 23 17:25 ET
Updated: 13 MAR 23 17:33 ET

    (CNN) -- Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has been discharged from the hospital after being treated for a concussion and a rib fracture, his office announced Monday.

The Kentucky Republican tripped at a dinner event on Wednesday evening, his communications director said last week. McConnell had been admitted to a hospital and was being treated for a concussion, according to the statement at the time. He was expected, it said, to stay at the hospital "for a few days of observation and treatment."

He also suffered a rib fracture, according to a statement from his communications director on Monday.

"Leader McConnell's concussion recovery is proceeding well and the Leader was discharged from the hospital today. At the advice of his physician, the next step will be a period of physical therapy at an inpatient rehabilitation facility before he returns home," David Popp said in the statement.

He added, "Over the course of treatment this weekend, the Leader's medical team discovered that he also suffered a minor rib fracture on Wednesday, for which he is also being treated."

The fall happened at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington, DC, which was formerly the Trump International Hotel, according to a source familiar with the matter.

McConnell, who is 81 years old, is one of the most prominent figures in the Republican Party and on Capitol Hill. He has served in the role of both Senate majority and minority leader and has worked to advance highly consequential Republican priorities over the years, including the confirmation of conservative judges to the federal bench.

CNN reported on Friday that McConnell was acting normally and eager to be discharged from the hospital. A person familiar with the matter told CNN that he had no visible wounds from the fall.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have publicly offered McConnell well wishes and conveyed their hopes for a quick recovery.

In 2019, McConnell fell at his Kentucky home and fractured his shoulder.

McConnell is not the only senator who's been away from the chamber for health reasons in recent days. Democratic Sens. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Dianne Feinstein of California have also been hospitalized in recent weeks, with Fetterman seeking treatment for depression and Feinstein for shingles.

Both sides of the aisle are impacted by absences in the chamber that is divided by 51 members of the Democratic Caucus to Republicans' 49. With such a tight margin, any one missing senator can alter the timing for votes concerning party-line legislation or confirming President Joe Biden's Executive Branch nominees.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

Article Topic Follows: News
Author Profile Photo

Kerry Mannix

Author Profile Photo

CNN Newsource

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

KVIA ABC 7 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content