McConnell will return to Capitol amid rumors of retirement, leadership contest

In early March, McConnell was hospitalized after he tripped and fell at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, D.C.

By Ben Whedon

Published: April 13, 2023 4:09pm

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell will return to the Senate following a protracted absence due to a fall, amid reports that the GOP is actively preparing for his retirement.

McConnell announced his planned return in a tweet on Thursday, saying "I am looking forward to returning to the Senate on Monday. We've got important business to tackle and big fights to win for Kentuckians and the American people."

In early March, McConnell was hospitalized after he tripped and fell at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, D.C. McConnell, 81, has served in the Senate since 1985 and has led Republicans in the chamber since 2007.

He soundly survived a leadership challenge earlier this year from Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott, with whom he had held public disagreements over the quality of the GOP's senatorial candidates during the 2022 midterms.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.