Top Line

A consultant reported that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Q.) is “doing well” and “eager” to leave a Washington DC-area hospital after suffering injuries at a dinner event earlier this week. Multiple stores On Friday, however, the 81-year-old senator’s return to Congress has yet to be announced.

important facts

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Josh Holmes, a longtime adviser to McConnell, said he has been in a D.C. hospital with McConnell for the past two days, noting that he is walking and “peppered” with questions.

McConnell suffered his injuries Wednesday night after tripping and falling at a private dinner hosted by the Senate Leadership Fund super PAC at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel—formerly the Trump International Hotel—in Washington, DC.

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in one Updates On Thursday, McConnell’s communications director, David Pope, said McConnell is expected to remain in the hospital for “a few days of observation and treatment,” though he did not confirm when McConnell is expected to return to the Senate.

main background

McConnell suffered a shoulder fracture in 2019 after tripping and falling at his Kentucky home, an incident that required shoulder surgery. He has also been candid about health issues resulting from a bout with polio He was four years old. He mentioned this disease in a 2021 TV Advertisement Urging Kentucky residents to sign up for the COVID-19 vaccine, he said, "At the time it took us decades to develop a vaccine."

tangent line

McConnell is not the only member of the Senate away from the chamber for medical reasons. Freshman Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) is also being treated at a DC-area hospital after being admitted late last month for "severe" clinical depression. Fetterman, who had suffered a stroke during the campaign last May, had been admitted a week earlier due to dizziness. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) was released from the hospital earlier this week after being treated for shingles. Feinstein, 89, said she hopes to return to the Senate later this month.

what we don't know

When McConnell returns to the Senate. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) had Allegedly predicted that he would remain in hospital over the weekend and make his return early next week.

McConnell hurt after DC collapse - will be hospitalized for 'a few' days, says spokesman (Forbes)

Sen. Mitch McConnell hospitalized after fall at DC hotel (Forbes)