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Congress

McConnell Returns to Senate Vowing to Be Present for ‘Tough Votes’

The former Senate majority leader has been out since June and admitted Monday, “I’m still not quite back to 100%.”

Mitch McConnell

Sen. Mitch McConnell announced he plans to return to the Senate on Monday after a three-month absence for medical reasons. (Allison Robbert/AP)

By Reese Gorman

September 14, 2026 06:12 p.m.

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Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky returned to the Capitol on Monday after a roughly three-month absence.

He announced his plans in a post on X, saying he was looking forward to seeing his colleagues.

“My recovery has been a long and often frustrating process, and the lingering effects of childhood polio haven’t made it any easier. 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.”

The Kentucky Republican, who arrived in a wheelchair Monday evening, greeted reporters saying, “I’m glad to see you, time to get back to work.”

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McConnell has not appeared at the Capitol since he suffered a medical incident at his home in Washington, D.C., on June 14.

The longtime Senate Republican leader spent roughly four weeks at the hospital following a fall and a subsequent pneumonia diagnosis. He went to a rehabilitation center in mid-July for physical therapy, his office said at the time.

He was discharged from the rehab center in early August.

“Earlier today, I was discharged from the rehabilitation center to continue my recovery at home,” McConnell said in a statement at the time. “On the advice of my doctors, I’ll maintain an intensive regimen of physical therapy from home during the state work period, and I’ll continue to engage with my staff and colleagues on important Senate business.”

McConnell has been inundated with questions about his future and his health status during the past three months, including from Kentucky’s Democratic governor, Andy Beshear. McConnell’s team has released two photos of him alongside his wife, former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.

This is a breaking story and will be updated.

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staffr_reese_gorman_mug_500px.png Reese Gorman is a reporter at The Washington Sun.

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STAFF_Al Weaver_MUG-500px.png Al Weaver is a reporter at The Washington Sun. STAFF_Igor Bobic_MUG-500px.png Igor Bobic is a reporter at The Washington Sun.

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