OAN Staff Katherine Mosack
12:03 PM – Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Senator Mitch McConnell has been hospitalized with flu-like symptoms, his office confirmed, raising concerns about his ongoing health issues.
On Tuesday, a spokesperson for the 83-year-old senator stated that McConnell (R-Ky.) began experiencing symptoms over the weekend and checked into a local hospital on Monday “out of an abundance of caution.”
“His prognosis is positive and he is grateful for the excellent care he is receiving,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “He is in regular contact with his staff and looks forward to returning to Senate business.”
McConnell missed Senate votes on Monday and Tuesday due to the medical concerns.
McConnell, who is weeks away from his 84th birthday, announced last February on his birthday that he will not seek reelection after his seventh Senate term ends in early 2027. He will retire after more than 40 years in the Senate, having first been elected in 1984.
The senator has had several medical episodes in recent years, including two in 2023 in which he appeared to freeze while speaking publicly. The same year, he suffered a concussion after tripping and falling at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington, D.C., which left him briefly in a wheelchair.
Last year, video footage came out of McConnell falling in a Capitol hallway as a woman asked him if he agreed with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity.
His mobility is likely due to his history of polio as a child.
McConnell is the longest-serving Senate party leader in United States history, having served as Senate majority leader during President Donald Trump’s first administration. However, 92-year-old Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is the longest serving active senator, having first taken office in 1981.
Stay informed! Receive breaking news alerts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
What do YOU think? Click here to jump to the comments!
Sponsored Content Below
