Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell, 83, fell to the ground in a Capitol hallway Thursday afternoon while heading to Senate votes.
McConnell, who announced in February that he would not seek reelection, fell to the ground as two volunteers from the environmental advocacy group Sunrise Movement approached the senator and asked him a question about the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He didn’t answer the question.
The senator seemed unsteady, but he got up and continued walking with the help of his detachment. He then greeted the two individuals who were interrogating him.
The Senate was holding a series of votes Thursday related to the government shutdown, now in its 16th day. After the fall, McConnell voted and is expected to vote at the end of the day as well.
Senator Mitch McConnell leaves the Senate Chamber of the United States Capitol Building on October 1, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
There have been similar incidents with McConnell in the past, including an injury from a fall in 2023 that resulted in an extended absence from the Senate while he was hospitalized and required outpatient rehabilitation. McConnell walked with a limp after overcoming polio at a young age.
McConnell will retire from a decades-long political career when his term ends in January 2027. In 2024, he resigned as party leader after an unprecedented 18 years leading the Republican conference.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
