Mitch McConnell, the former Republican Senate majority leader, returned to the Capitol on Monday to vote for the first time after a months-long absence that sparked rampant speculation about his health.
The 84-year-old senator has been absent from the Senate since mid-June after a fall that left him hospitalized. He was released from rehab last month.
“Today I will vote in the Senate for the first time since I failed in June,” McConnell said in a statement. “I’m really looking forward to returning to the Senate and seeing my colleagues.
“My recovery has been a long and often frustrating process, and the lingering effects of childhood polio have not made it any easier. I am still not quite back to 100%, but I have assured Leader Thune that, while continuing physical therapy on the advice of my doctors, I will do my best to attend the tough vote when our conference needs me.”
“Elaine and I are very grateful for all the continued well wishes from our fellow Kentuckians, and I am excited to return to business as usual on their behalf this month.”