A spokesperson for Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), 83, announced Tuesday night that the senator had been hospitalized after experiencing “flu-like symptoms” over the weekend.
McConnell checked himself into a local hospital in Washington, D.C., out of an abundance of caution for evaluation, the spokesperson said. The hospitalization caused the former Senate Republican leader to miss votes on Monday and Tuesday.
His office further stated that McConnell remains in regular contact with his staff and anticipates returning to Senate duties soon.
“In an abundance of caution, after experiencing flu-like symptoms over the weekend, Senator McConnell checked himself into a local hospital for evaluation last night. His prognosis is positive and he is grateful for the excellent care he is receiving,” McConnell spokesman David Popp said in a statement. “He is in regular contact with his staff and looks forward to returning to Senate business.”
No further details on McConnell’s exact symptoms or a timeline on his return to the Senate is available as of this report.
🚨 BREAKING: Sen. Mitch McConnell, 83, hospitalized over the weekend with flu-like symptoms, spokesman says his prognosis is “positive” and he’s “grateful for the excellent care he is receiving.”
Term limits now! pic.twitter.com/YndozKogFQ
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) February 4, 2026
McConnell, who has served in the Senate since 1985 and holds the record as the longest-serving Senate party leader in U.S. history, stepped down from his role as Senate Republican leader following the November 2024 elections. He announced in February 2024 that he would not seek reelection when his current term ends in January of next year.
The latest hospitalization marks the latest in a series of health-related events for the senator, who contracted polio as a child. This has left lingering effects on his mobility, particularly in his left leg, throughout his life.
In recent years, McConnell has experienced several medical incidents, including falls and episodes where he appeared to freeze during public appearances. In 2019, he fractured his shoulder after a fall at his home in Kentucky and underwent surgery
On March 8, 2023, he fell at a dinner event in Washington, D.C., which left him with a concussion and a fractured rib. The senator was hospitalized for several days and spent time in inpatient rehabilitation, which forced him to moss nearly six weeks of Senate sessions.
Later in 2023, McConnell had two notable “freezing episodes.” On July 26 of that year, he stopped speaking mid-sentence and stared blankly for about 20 seconds while speaking during a press conference. Aides ultimately intervened and assisted him, while McConnell later returned to the session and stated that he was fine.
A similar incident occurred just weeks later at an event in Kentucky, where he froze for approximately 30 seconds while answering questions from reporters. Aides approached him, and one noted they “needed a minute.”
Following these incidents, the Capitol attending physician, Dr. Brian Monahan, medically cleared McConnell, stating there was no evidence of a seizure disorder, stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), or movement disorder like Parkinson’s disease. The physician further suggested that the episodes could be linked to the earlier concussion or dehydration.
In February 2025, he fell twice on the same day in the Capitol, once on stairs near the Senate chamber and another during a Republican conference lunch. This led to him being escorted out in a wheelchair as a precaution.
Additionally, on October 16, 2025, McConnell tripped and fell ahead of a Capitol vote while taking a question on immigration enforcement. Staffers chalked the incident up to effects of polio and said the senator was otherwise doing fine.
