Republican leader Mitch McConnell to remain in hospital after concussion

By Darren Lyn

HOUSTON, United States (AA) - Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell remains in the hospital on Thursday after a fall at a hotel and suffering a concussion.

McConnell, 81, was attending a campaign committee dinner at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday evening when he tripped and fell.

He “is grateful to the medical professionals for their care and to his colleagues for their warm wishes," said David Popp, a spokesperson for the Senate minority leader. He added that McConnell would remain hospitalized “for a few days of observation and treatment."

President Joe Biden offered his well-wishes to McConnell after hearing the news.

"Jill and I are wishing Senator McConnell a speedy recovery," Biden tweeted. "We look forward to seeing him back on the Senate floor."

Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer also took a moment on the Senate floor to offer his support to his Republican counterpart.

"I called the leader this morning and spoke briefly with his staff to extend my prayers and well-wishes," said Schumer. "My thoughts are also with leader McConnell's family and his team."

In 2019, the Republican took a tumble at his home in the US state of Kentucky and fractured his shoulder.

First elected in 1984, McConnell became the longest-serving Senate leader when the new Congress convened in January, breaking the previous record of 16 years.