WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Senator Republican chief Mitch McConnell fell on the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, sustaining minor accidents, however was cleared to renew work, his workplace mentioned in a press release.
McConnell, 82, is because of step down because the social gathering’s chief within the chamber subsequent month, however plans to serve out the remaining two years of his time period in workplace, regardless of a collection of well being scares final yr that included two cases of freezing up in public whereas talking.
“Leader McConnell tripped following lunch. He sustained a minor cut to the face and sprained his wrist,” a McConnell spokesperson mentioned. “He has been cleared to resume his schedule.”
A crew of medical technicians and medical doctors entered McConnell’s workplace with an empty wheelchair shortly earlier than 2 p.m. EDT (1900 GMT).
Two further medical technicians later entered his workplace. However all had departed inside an hour.
“He is fine, he’s in his office,” mentioned Senator John Thune, who will succeed McConnell because the social gathering’s chief when it takes a 53-47 Senate majority on Jan. 3.
One lawmaker mentioned he believed McConnell fell after attending a Republican coverage lunch close to the Senate chamber whereas en path to a weekly social gathering management press convention.
McConnell was away from the Senate for weeks in 2023 after tripping at a Washington dinner, leading to a hospital keep for therapy of a concussion and minor rib fracture. Twice later that yr he froze up in public whereas talking.
McConnell served as Senate majority chief from 2015 to 2021 and as Senate minority chief since then.
McConnell, who has represented Kentucky within the Senate since 1985 and has been his social gathering’s chief since 2007, gleefully embraced the nickname “Grim Reaper” for his willingness to make use of the levers of energy to stonewall Democratic targets.
McConnell performed an outsized position in serving to President-elect Donald Trump throughout his first time period in workplace cement a 6-3 conservative majority within the Supreme Courtroom, paving the way in which for landmark rulings cheered by conservatives ending the popularity of a constitutional proper to abortion and increasing gun rights.
He has a sophisticated relationship with Trump, having condemned the then-president’s actions associated to the Jan. 6, 2021, storming of the U.S. Capitol, but in addition endorsing his re-election bid.
