McConnell Is Back Voting After Months Away Sick
Mitch McConnell returned to the U.S. Capitol on Monday, September 14, 2026, and voted in the Senate for the first time after months away. The Guardian
McConnell is 84. He is the senator from Kentucky and the former Republican leader in the Senate. He had been away since mid-June 2026. The Guardian
His office said a fall sent him to the hospital. He left a rehab center in the month before his return. McConnell said childhood polio had slowed his recovery. The Guardian
On September 14, he said he was still not back to 100% and would keep doing physical therapy as his doctors advised. He said he told Leader Thune he would try to be there for tough votes when his party needs him. The Guardian
His absence lasted through the summer. On July 12, 2026, McConnell said he would not return with the Senate the following Monday because he was still recovering from a fall. Reuters
On August 7, 2026, the U.S. Senate Daily Press reported that Senator McConnell did not vote. That day the Senate started a recorded vote on approving Todd Blanche as Attorney General, the nation's top lawyer. Senate Daily Press
Senate papers had listed the next vote for Monday, September 14 at 5:30 p.m. Senate Daily Press
McConnell will not run for reelection in Kentucky in 2026. AP President Donald Trump has backed Rep. Andy Barr to replace him in Kentucky's crowded Republican primary race. AP
Health issues have kept him away before. He returned to the Capitol almost six weeks after a fall at a Washington-area hotel. AP He later said he planned to finish his term as leader after freezing up twice at news events. AP
The broader context here is numbers and power. The Senate is like a small team where every player counts, so one absence can change results and slow votes.
Looking to the months ahead, the questions are practical. How often can he attend, how will leaders plan votes around his health, and how is Kentucky represented while the race for his seat is already underway.
