Top US senator returns after monthslong medical absence

Republican Senator Mitch McConnell made a triumphant return to Congress on Monday, after being absent for a month due to a severe fall. The 84-year-old senator from Kentucky, who served as the former leader of the upper chamber, was hospitalized in mid-June following the incident. The senator's office kept his condition under wraps for weeks, fueling speculation about his health.

McConnell revealed the truth on July 12, stating he was hospitalized after losing consciousness due to the fall and subsequently contracting pneumonia. He was subsequently transferred to a rehabilitation facility. In a subsequent statement on X, McConnell expressed his eagerness to resume his duties, saying, "Today, I will cast my first Senate vote since I took a bad fall back in June." He looked forward to returning to the Senate floor and engaging with his colleagues.

Despite his struggle, McConnell revealed that his recovery has been a protracted and challenging journey, exacerbated by the lingering effects of childhood polio. He appeared in Congress in a wheelchair, acknowledging that he was not fully recovered, but emphasized his commitment to be present for crucial votes as the US federal legislature reconvenes following its summer recess.