US Senator Mitch McConnell appears at Capitol following lengthy absence, hospitalization

McConnell arrived at the Capitol in a wheelchair and with what CNN described as a "noticeably thinner" appearance, but was able to make a few statements to the press while at the Senate.

US Senator Mitch McConnell, 84, made his first public appearance on Monday following his prolonged absence from the Senate after reportedly having fallen and been hospitalized in mid-June.

McConnell arrived at the Capitol in a wheelchair and with what CNN described as a "noticeably thinner" appearance, but was able to make a few statements to the press while at the Senate for the evening vote series.

"I must admit, after two years - two decades, actually - dodging your questions, I wasn’t sure how many of you would be here today, but I’m glad to see you,” McConnell told reporters.

He also said that it was "Time to get back to work, finish the job for this Congress."

In a post on X/Twitter, McConnell wrote that he was "really looking forward to being back on the Senate floor and seeing my colleagues.

"My recovery has been a long and often frustrating process, and the lingering effects of childhood polio haven’t made it any easier," he wrote. "I’m still not quite back to 100%, but I’ve assured Leader Thune that, as I continue with physical therapy on the advice of my doctors, I will do my best to be present for tough votes when our Conference needs me."

Hospitalization is latest in McConnell's medical history

McConnell is a former Senate majority leader who helped steer Republicans' legislation and appointees through Congress.

McConnell’s hospitalization is the latest in his long medical history, from having polio as a child to an eight-day hospital stay in February after experiencing “flu-like symptoms.”