Mitch McConnell seems to be moving into John Fetterman territory after the Senator was diagnosed with a concussion and rib fracture.
On March 8th, McConnell was at dinner when he tripped and fell, causing a concussion and rib fracture. After being released from the hospital on March 13th, McConnell was advised to go to an inpatient rehabilitation facility for physical therapy and to continue his recovery.
“I’m going to follow the advice of my physical therapists and spend the next few days working for Kentuckians and the Republican Conference from home,” McConnell said in the statement after being released from therapy. “I’m in frequent touch with my Senate colleagues and my staff. I look forward to returning in person to the Senate soon.”
McConnell has faced health challenges before. Almost four years ago, he tripped at his home in Kentucky, causing a shoulder fracture that required surgery. During that time, he worked from home for some weeks as he recovered. McConnell was also diagnosed with polio in his early childhood and has acknowledged some difficulty in climbing stairs as an adult.
McConnell has still managed to hold the longest-serving Senate leader when the new Congress convened this year, breaking the previous record of 16 years. The Senator from Kentucky has been out of the office for almost a month and there is no date on when he will return.
Recovering from a concussion can be difficult because the symptoms can be both physical and mental. Physical symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, and fatigue, which can make it hard to concentrate and focus. Mental symptoms can include confusion, difficulty remembering, and difficulty concentrating. These can make it hard for the person to return to their daily activities. Additionally, there is no specific treatment for concussions, so recovery can take time.
So how good or bad is McConnell? No one really knows.
McConnell isn’t the only Senator who’s had serious medical issues.
Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman has spent the majority of his time in DC hospitalized. The Senator’s staff claim that he will be hospitalized for at least another two weeks so his medication can be tweaked.
From the New York Post:
Sen. John Fetterman’s health is reportedly improving, but he could remain hospitalized for up to two more weeks as doctors work to get his medication “exactly right.”
The Pennsylvania Democrat checked himself into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Feb. 16 for treatment for clinical depression just days after he was hospitalized after feeling lightheaded at a Democratic Party retreat.
“John Fetterman is making progress in his recovery from clinical depression and could leave Walter Reed within next two weeks,” CNN congressional reporter Manu Raju tweeted on Tuesday.
“The senator’s physician recently informed him that he will be ‘as good or better than his best days post-stroke,’” Raju added.
Fetterman’s health struggles began May 13 of last year when he suffered a stroke during the final days of Pennsylvania’s Senate primary campaign.
Pennsylvania voters weigh in on Democrat Senator John Fetterman:
“I don’t think the man is fit for the job.” pic.twitter.com/vkR0b6jG6Q
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) March 25, 2023
