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Congress Member

John Thune

Republican

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Image for McConnell 'wants to be back' in Senate after hospitalization: Thune
via: washingtonexaminer.com

McConnell 'wants to be back' in Senate after hospitalization: Thune

“He is clearly dialed in to what’s going on,” Thune said, according to ABC News. “He’s following along with stuff we are doing this week up here. Very much so.”

McConnell was the longest-serving Senate leader in history before stepping aside to allow Thune to fill the top spot in January 2025. The following month, McConnell announced he would not seek reelection, meaning he will leave Congress in January 2027.

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McConnell has appeared to be in decline since fracturing his shoulder in a 2019 fall. Particularly throughout 2023 and 2024, he suffered from several public falls and froze multiple times. In October 2025, McConnell again fell while walking through the U.S. Capitol ahead of a Senate vote.

Spokesperson Stephanie Penn told multiple outlets Monday that “Senator McConnell is fully engaged with staff on Senate business and Kentucky matters and is very appreciative of the outstanding care he is receiving.”