By Stephen Groves and Mary Clare Jalonsick, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader of the Senate, had a sprained wrist on Tuesday while leaving a GOP luncheon. This is the most recent in a string of medical mishaps that have affected him in recent years.
Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming reported that McConnell, who is leaving his leadership position at the end of the year, slipped and fell while leaving his monthly party lunch with Barrasso. Barrasso then walked back to his office by himself. Minutes thereafter, medical staff were observed entering his office.
According to his office, the 82-year-old veteran Republican leader has a cut on his face as well, but he is allowed to return to work. Following the luncheon, he did not show up for a planned press conference.
After tripping and falling, McConnell was OK and completely conscious, according to Barrasso, a doctor and the third-ranking Senate leader.
He missed several weeks of work after being hospitalized for a concussion in March 2023 following a tumble in a downtown hotel. Upon his return, he froze twice during that summer’s news conferences, looking blankly ahead before staff and colleagues helped him.
Having suffered polio as a young boy, McConnell has long admitted to having some trouble walking and climbing stairs as an adult. In addition to the accident he experienced in 2023, he also suffered a fractured shoulder that required surgery in 2019 after tripping and falling at home in Kentucky.
McConnell has been the Republican leader since 2007 and has served in the Senate since 1984. When Republicans regain the majority in the Senate next year, Sen. John Thune of South Dakota will be the new majority leader.
This report was written by Lisa Mascaro and Farnoush Amiri of the Associated Press.
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