Senator Mitch McConnell Hospitalized

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), 83, was hospitalized on Monday (February 2) after experiencing flu-like symptoms, his office announced in a statement to FOX News on Tuesday (February 3).

"In an abundance of caution, after experiencing flu-like symptoms over the weekend, Senator McConnell checked himself into a local hospital for evaluation last night," a spokesperson said.

"His prognosis is positive and he is grateful for the excellent care he is receiving," the spokesperson continued. "He is in regular contact with his staff and looks forward to returning to Senate business."

McConnell's illness comes several months after a video shared online showed him falling to the ground in the hallway of the Russell Senate Office Building basement on Thursday (October 16). The 83-year-old was asked by a woman named Stella about U.S. Immigration and Customs raids before falling forward onto the ground in the clip shared by the climate change political action group 'The Sunrise Movement.'

McConnell, who is the longest-serving senator in Kentucky history currently in his seventh term and had previously served as both the Republican majority and minority leader, was previously hospitalized after tripping and falling at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington, D.C. in March 2023. The 83-year-old stepped down from the helm of the Republican Conference -- which was then the Senate minority -- at the end of last year.

"One of life’s most underappreciated talents is to know when it’s time to move on to life’s next chapter, so I stand before you today, Mr. President and my colleagues, to say this will be my last term as Republican leader of the Senate," McConnell said, claiming he had "total clarity and peace about the sunset of my work," at the time via NBC News.