In The News 15 September 2026

Sen. McConnell returns to Senate

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Sen. Mitch McConnell

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky returned to the Senate to vote on Monday, Sept. 14 for the first time in three months.

McConnell issued the following statement: “Today, I’ll cast my first Senate vote since I took a bad fall back in June. I’m really looking forward to being back on the Senate floor and seeing my colleagues.

“My recovery has been a long and often frustrating process, and the lingering effects of childhood polio haven’t made it any easier. I’m still not quite back to 100%, but I’ve assured Leader Thune that, as I continue with physical therapy on the advice of my doctors, I will do my best to be present for tough votes when our Conference needs me.

“Elaine and I are very grateful for all the continued well wishes from our fellow Kentuckians, and I’m glad to get back to more of business as usual on their behalf this month.”

Senator McConnell is Kentucky’s longest-serving senator. Elected nine times to lead the Republican conference from 2006-2024, he is also the longest-serving Senate party leader in American history. From 2015 to 2021, McConnell was just the second Kentuckian to serve as Senate Majority Leader, following Senator Alben Barkley (1937 to 1949). He previously served as the Majority Whip, the second most senior member of Senate party leadership.

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