Mitch McConnell has released another update on his condition after being hospitalized on June 14, saying he will not attend Kentucky’s annual Fancy Farm Picnic on Saturday, August 1.
The senator from Kentucky first addressed the situation publicly on July 13, explaining that a fall had resulted in his hospitalization and that he was recovering at a rehabilitation facility.
In that earlier message, McConnell said he would not be back in the Senate immediately. His latest statement makes clear that his return is still on hold.
“There’s no place I’d rather be on the first Saturday in August than with the good people of western Kentucky, feasting on pork and mutton,” the second statement, which was released to the media on Monday, July 27, began.
“I hate that I’ll miss the fun this year,” he continued before going on to share a further health update.
The 84-year-old said he is continuing to work toward resuming his normal duties in both Washington and Kentucky.
“I’m still working hard to get back to my full schedule of work in the Senate and in Kentucky, keeping up with intense physical therapy per my doctors’ orders.”
The statement was released alongside a new photograph showing McConnell smiling from a hospital bed with his wife, Elaine Chao, at his side.
His office also issued an additional update that included information from the Office of the Attending Physician, saying he was still recovering from the fall that happened at home in June.
“Since his discharge from hospital care, he has maintained a strenuous course of physical therapy and rehabilitation,” the statement continued, confirming that these were to ‘rebuild strength and reduce the risk of future falls’.
According to that update, he still has not been cleared to leave the rehabilitation center and return to work in person.
McConnell’s absence had prompted concern after he remained out of the public eye for about a month before speaking last week. Earlier this month, Chao also responded to questions about why she had not immediately returned from a trip to China, which she had reportedly left on two days after his fall.
“The secretary was on a long-planned trip in China to support her family’s philanthropic endeavors,” a statement to the Daily Beast read.
“During the trip, she met with a number of people, including the US ambassador. The Senator’s health did not warrant an immediate return to the US.”
A few days later, McConnell explained why he had waited to comment publicly on what had happened.
“Folks of my generation often hesitate to share the vulnerability that comes with growing older,” he wrote.
The Republican said he felt that same reluctance himself.
The republican added: “Even in the public eye, I feel that same instinct – I can’t help it.”
Before his statement, speculation had circulated that he may have suffered a heart attack, but McConnell directly rejected those claims.
“I’ve submitted to every test they can think of to help figure out what caused this incident,” he said.
“My doctors have confirmed that I didn’t break any bones or suffer a concussion. I didn’t have a heart attack or a stroke. I don’t have any tumors or hemorrhages. But I was briefly unconscious and was taken to the hospital.
“I’ve also had to deal with a mild case of pneumonia.”
The latest update comes as Fancy Farm organizers prepare for the traditional political gathering, which serves as one of Kentucky’s signature campaign-season events. McConnell has long been a fixture at the picnic, though his office has now confirmed he will miss this year’s appearance while he continues rehabilitation.