Former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, an 84-year-old Republican from Kentucky, was admitted to a hospital on Sunday, June 14, 2026. The exact reason for his hospitalization remains undisclosed, but McConnell has faced a series of health challenges in recent years.
His spokesman, David Popp, issued a brief emailed statement confirming that McConnell "is receiving excellent care" but did not elaborate on the nature of his condition.
McConnell, who has used a wheelchair to move around the U.S. Capitol in recent months, has a history of health issues.
In 2023, he froze and appeared unable to speak for nearly 30 seconds during a weekly press conference. He also suffered multiple falls, including one that caused a concussion and led to a nearly six-week absence from the Senate.
A childhood bout with polio left him with a partially paralyzed leg, contributing to his unsteady gait.
After more than four decades in the Senate, McConnell announced in 2024 that he would step down from leadership, and in 2025, he declared he would not seek another six-year term. His tenure is set to conclude at the end of this year.
The news of his hospitalization has drawn attention to his legacy as a key figure in American politics, though his current health status remains uncertain.