McConnell out of hospital but not yet cleared to return to work, doctors say

US Senator Mitch McConnell has been discharged from hospital but is still not “medically cleared” to return to work in the Senate, his doctors have confirmed, as the 84-year-old Kentucky Republican continues intensive physical therapy following a fall and a mild case of pneumonia .

“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,” McConnell said in a statement shared by his office on Monday . His office released a photo taken on July 26 showing McConnell smiling alongside his wife, former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao .

McConnell’s office did not provide a timeline for his return, and he remains at a rehabilitation center . The senator will not be able to attend an upcoming celebration in western Kentucky, the statement added .

According to a statement from his medical team, McConnell has maintained “a strenuous course of physical therapy and rehabilitation, including multiple sessions a day designed to rebuild strength and reduce the risk of future falls” since his discharge from hospital care .

The statement noted that “his bout with childhood polio continues to be a significant factor in his mobility,” and that he is “not yet medically cleared to leave the rehab facility and return to the office” .

Since his admission to hospital in mid-June, there has been limited communication and detail from McConnell and his office about his condition, leading to widespread speculation about his absence in Washington and on social media .

McConnell, who holds the title of the longest-serving Senate party leader in US history, has faced a number of health challenges in recent years, including previous falls and episodes of public freezing during press conferences . His extended absence comes at a critical time for Senate Republicans, with key legislative battles and leadership negotiations ongoing .