Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced Monday that he isn’t ready to come back to work yet as he recovers from a fall at his home last month.
“I’m still working hard to get back to my full schedule of work in the Senate and in Kentucky, keeping up with intense physical therapy per my doctors’ orders. Unfortunately, that means I won’t be able to make it to Fancy Farm, Kentucky this Saturday," he said.
McConnell said there was “no place I’d rather be” than with the “good people of western Kentucky,” noting that when he first attended the event 42 years ago, Fancy Farm was a “pretty lonely place for Republicans.” He added that the political landscape has changed significantly since then.
“As always, I appreciate all of your continued well wishes, and I’m looking forward to getting back to the Senate and to Kentucky soon.”
He did not provide a timeline for his return to Capitol Hill.
The Office of the Attending Physician said the senator continues his recovery, meeting with physicians every day and maintaining a "strenuous course of physical therapy and rehabilitation." This includes multiple sessions a day aimed at reducing the risk of falling again and rebuilding strength.
McConnell battled polio as a young child and has acknowledged the challenges he has faced as an adult with mobility, such as walking and climbing stairs.
“His bout with childhood polio continues to be a significant factor in his mobility. He is not yet medically cleared to leave the rehab facility and return to the office,” the statement reads.
After the fall on June 14, McConnell was hospitalized and received weeks of care.
McConnell has served in the Senate for more than 41 years, having first taken office on Jan. 3, 1985. He is the longest-serving Kentucky senator and the longest-serving party leader in Senate history.
The Kentucky Republican is not seeking reelection but said that he has "every intention" to finish out his final term in the Senate.