Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell hospitalized after fall – Boston News, Weather, Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell was hospitalized after stumbling at a local hotel, a spokesman for the senator said.

The 81-year-old Kentucky senator was attending a private dinner in Washington on Wednesday when he tripped. He was taken to a hospital for treatment, spokesman Doug Andres said.

McConnell’s office gave no further details on his condition or how long he may be absent from the Senate.

2019 the GOP leader tripped and fell at his home in Kentucky, suffered a fractured shoulder. At the time, he underwent surgery to repair the fracture in his shoulder. The Senate had just started a summer recess, and he was working from home for a few weeks while recovering.

First elected in 1984, McConnell in January became the longest-serving Senate leader when the new Congress met, breaking the previous record of 16 years.

The taciturn McConnell is often reluctant to discuss his private life. But at the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, he opened up to him early childhood experiences in the fight against polio. He described how his mother insisted he not be on his feet as a toddler and worked with him through a determined physical therapy program. He has acknowledged some difficulty climbing stairs in adulthood.

The Senate, whose average age is 65, was recently missing several members due to illness.

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., 53, who suffered a stroke while campaigning last year, was expected stay away for a few weeks when he was being treated for clinical depression. And Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., 89, said last week it was her hospitalized for shingles.

The absence of the Democrats has posed a challenge for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y. proven, who is already navigating with a very slim majority of 51-49.

The Republicans, as a minority party, have it easier with temporary failures. It’s unclear if McConnell will be absent on Thursday and if that would affect scheduled votes. Senator John Thune of South Dakota is the No. 2 Republican in the Senate.

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