Veteran senator faces health concerns after falling down stairs in Washington

Kentucky’s senior U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell, 82, fell down the stairs in Washington on Wednesday afternoon, according to reports.

Fox News congressional correspondent Chad Pergram confirmed on social media that the fall occurred after McConnell voted to confirm Scott Turner as the secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“The extent of his injuries is unclear, but Fox has been told he appears to be okay. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) helped McConnell up,” Pergram wrote.

Another reporter from Washington outlet Punchbowl News also witnessed the incident.

“Sen McConnell just fell down the stairs on his way out of the chamber,” Diego Areas Munhoz tweeted. “He got up with the help of some senators and appeared to walk it off as he left.”

This fall adds to a series of health issues McConnell has faced recently.

Last year, the senator sprained his wrist and injured his face after another fall in Washington.

Before that, McConnell had two well-publicized “freeze-up” incidents on camera in the summer of 2023 — one during a press conference in Washington and another at a Northern Kentucky event.

In March 2023, McConnell was hospitalized after falling at a dinner event in Washington.

These incidents have sparked speculation about whether McConnell will run for reelection in 2026, when his six-year term concludes.

The senator, born in Sheffield, has not publicly committed to a decision.

McConnell was recently replaced by South Dakota U.S. Senator John Thune as leader of the Senate Republican caucus.