A shocking video showed that Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) came to the U.S. Capitol for a vote on Monday in a wheelchair and with a boot on his leg.
A video obtained by CNN’s Haley Talbot shows the former Senate majority leader leaving the Senate on Monday with the help of staff to get from his wheelchair into an SUV.
It was seen that McConnell’s health isn’t great five days after the 82-year-old fell down the stairs outside of the Senate chamber on Wednesday, according to Breitbart News.
Last week, he got up with the help of Sens. Steve Daines (R-MT) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and tried to walk it off, but this week, his injuries looked bad enough that he would need help and medical equipment.
Age Limits for Congress NOW!
82-year-old Senator Mitch McConnell now requires the use of a walking boot and wheelchair just to show up for his job.
How much longer will this farce continue? pic.twitter.com/sHaEfiL6gm
— Conservative Brief (@ConservBrief) February 11, 2025
McConnell fell multiple times last week at the U.S. Capitol as health concerns continue to mount.
The Kentucky Republican, 82, was seen using a wheelchair after the incidents. Reports said he fell down a small flight of stairs at least once leaving the Senate chamber on his way to lunch with GOP colleagues, Express US reported.
“Fox confirms. McConnell falls down Senate stairs after voting to confirm Scott Turner as HUD Secretary. Unclear about injuries. But Fox is told he appears to be ok. McConnell was helped up by Sens. Steve Daines (R-MT) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK),” Fox News congressional correspondent Chad Pergram tweeted.
According to his office, McConnell, who had polio as a child, is currently using a wheelchair “purely as a precautionary measure.”
“Senator McConnell is fine,” a McConnell spokesman said. “The lingering effects of polio in his left leg will not disrupt his regular schedule of work.”
Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) told reporters after witnessing the fall: “I think he just slipped on the steps. I was right behind him and helped him get back up, and he walked on his own power to lunch.”
McConnell was seen leaving the lunch on foot, holding onto an aide’s arm. However, he was later spotted by the press returning to the venue in a wheelchair.
McConnell stepped down as Senate Republican leader earlier this year after experiencing multiple health issues. In December, he also suffered a fall in the Capitol building following a lunch with his colleagues, resulting in a minor face cut and a wrist sprain.
Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.), who succeeded McConnell as Senate GOP leader in January, told reporters following the weekly Senate GOP policy luncheon that McConnell was “fine” and “in his office.” He referred any questions about McConnell to the senator’s staff.
Medical staff with a wheelchair were reportedly called to assist the senator after his fall. Republican Sen. John Barrasso, the new Senate GOP whip, told the Daily Mail that McConnell “is fine.” McConnell was “cleared to resume his schedule,” his office said at the time.
Last year, McConnell revealed that he’s “not leaving the Senate” and that he’s focused on combating the Republican Party’s “isolationist movement,” which some viewed as a shot at President-elect Donald Trump and his incoming team.
During an interview with WHAS radio host Terry Meiners, McConnell vowed to use his remaining time in the Senate to hit back against GOP colleagues who aim to rein in U.S. support for foreign allies such as Israel and Ukraine.
Despite his plans to step down as party leader, McConnell said, “I’m not leaving the Senate.” He added, “I’m particularly involved in actually fighting back against the isolationist movement in my own party and so many others as well.”
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
