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Sen. Mitch McConnell was hospitalized over the weekend after experiencing “flu-like symptoms.”
The 83-year-old former Senate Majority Leader began experiencing symptoms over the weekend and was hospitalized on Monday night, Feb. 2, according to a statement shared with PEOPLE.
“Senator McConnell developed flu-like symptoms over the weekend, so out of an abundance of caution, he was admitted to a local hospital last night for testing,” the statement read.
The Kentucky Republican “is in regular contact with his staff and looks forward to returning to work in the Senate,” the statement continued. He also said McConnell’s prognosis is “good” and that he is “grateful for the excellent care he is receiving.”
“He is in regular contact with his staff and looks forward to returning to his Senate work,” the statement concluded.
It’s unclear how long McConnell is expected to be hospitalized. He did not attend the Senate votes on Monday and Tuesday, February 3, WLKY reported.
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The hospitalization is the latest in a series of health problems for Mr. McConnell. In October 2025, he tripped and fell while being questioned by an activist about his feelings toward Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Video of the incident shows McConnell, who was clearly walking with a stiff gait and relying on the person beside him for stability, staggering to the ground toward the end of the woman’s questioning and landing on his left side.
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McConnell has a well-documented history of public falls and frostbite, and his October 2025 fall was his third in less than a year. He will step down as chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, a position he has held since 2007, in 2024 due to health concerns.
