Additional Coverage:
- Mitch McConnell sparks health fears after voting video shows him ‘rotting in his seat’ (themirror.com)
Senator Mitch McConnell, 84, was guided through a recent Senate Agriculture Committee vote by fellow GOP members, despite his extensive experience in Congress.
On Monday, McConnell returned to work following a hospital stay due to a June fall and subsequent pneumonia. During a lengthy markup meeting on Wednesday for a much-anticipated agriculture bill, Sen.
John Hoeven (R-N.D.) appeared to prompt McConnell on how to vote. When McConnell’s name was called, he initially raised his finger and said “aye,” but the clerk didn’t hear him clearly.
A video shows Hoeven leaning in and the word “no” being heard twice. McConnell then responded more audibly with “aye” on the second call.
The committee passed the bill along party lines, 12 to 11.
The incident sparked ridicule on social media, with critics questioning McConnell’s fitness to serve. Some described the moment as “despicable” and argued that McConnell should be resting rather than holding his Senate seat.
Hoeven’s office later explained that the senator initially thought the vote was to overrule the chair and only realized afterward it concerned the final passage of the agriculture bill.
Following the vote, McConnell took to X (formerly Twitter) to commend Chairman Boozman’s work and expressed pride in voting for the Farm Bill on behalf of Kentucky’s farming families.
McConnell was hospitalized on June 14, which delayed the bill’s progress. He was discharged from rehabilitation on August 6. His team faced criticism for not promptly disclosing details about his health.
Ahead of his first public appearance since returning, McConnell acknowledged he was “still not quite back to 100%” but pledged to be present for critical votes while continuing physical therapy. Reporters were allowed to photograph but not videotape the event, and no questions were taken.
Addressing the press from his wheelchair, McConnell remarked, “I must admit, after two years, two decades after dodging your questions, I wasn’t sure how many of you would be here today. So, I’m glad to see you.
Time to get back to work to finish the job for this Congress. I’m here to work on the farm bill.”