Mitch McConnell health questions linger as Senate set to reconvene
Mitch McConnell health questions linger as Senate set to reconvene
Keely Doll, Louisville Courier JournalFri, September 11, 2026 at 9:05 AM UTC
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It's been three months since U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell was last in Congress, the longest absence of his 41-year Senate career. But that streak could end Sept. 14, when the Senate returns for session.
McConnell has been absent from both Congress and the public eye since his June 14 hospitalization, which he said stemmed from a fall at his Washington, D.C., home. Although out of sight, the longtime Kentucky senator has not been out of mind, with questions about his health and ability to serve dominating the political conversation through the summer.
McConnell's team has not confirmed whether he will return when the session resumes, but several Kentucky Republicans remain hopeful the senator will be back in Congress for crucial votes before the November midterm elections.
In a recent interview with CNN, U.S. Rep. James Comer said he had spoken with McConnell’s staff about the senator’s return.
“I have not talked to leader McConnell,” Comer told CNN. “I’ve talked to his staff, many of whom are from my district originally. And they have all said it’s their goal for Senator McConnell to be here when the Senate comes in.”
U.S. Rep. Andy Barr echoed that statement, saying Senate Leader John Thune believes McConnell will be back on the floor to vote on legislation prior to the midterms.
“Everything I've heard is that we expect Senator McConnell to be back, providing that critical vote for the last stretch run before the election,” Barr told reporters in August. “Critically, we need Senator McConnell's vote in the lame duck.”
McConnell’s absence has already had tangible impacts on Republican's legislative goals in the Senate. The loss of the the Kentucky senator's vote has narrowed an already thin margin on the floor, while his empty seat at committees has stalled new bills from reaching the floor, including a long-awaited farm bill. With the Senate returning Sept. 14, Republicans are counting on the former majority leader to return for a critical stretch of votes and committee work.
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How has McConnell’s absence impacted Congress?
McConnell has missed 60 roll call votes on the Senate floor since he was hospitalized, including votes on several key bills and nominations. During his absence, the Senate passed through a bipartisan housing reform bill, narrowly blocked several war powers measures and squeezed through Todd Blanche’s confirmation as attorney general in a 50-49 vote.
Although Republicans hold 53 seats in the Senate to Democrats' 45, along with two independents who caucus with Democrats, GOP senators have raised concerns about possible tight margins on upcoming votes in the fall.
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But where McConnell’s absence has been felt most acutely is in Senate committees.
McConnell chairs the Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research; the Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Defense; and the Rules and Administration Committee. He also serves on several other subcommittees within those.
With the bipartisan makeup of congressional committees, even one missing vote can keep bills from reaching the floor. While McConnell has been able to vote by proxy on amendments during committee meetings, proxy votes cannot be used to advance legislation out of committee. That became a significant issue in August, when absences in the agriculture committee threatened to derail a top priority for Senate Republicans: the elusive, long-awaited farm bill.
The Senate's farm bill, an omnibus piece of legislation rolled out every five years that governs everything from rural development and crop insurance to nutrition programs, has languished in committee during McConnell’s absence.
The bill has not been reauthorized since 2018 and has been extended three times to prevent a lapse in agricultural and nutritional programs. It's seen as a vital piece of legislation, for both lawmakers and agricultural groups, especially as farmers bear the brunt of tariffs and rising fuel and fertilizer costs. But the Senate Agriculture Committee rejected the bill on a 10-11 vote Aug. 6, with McConnell and Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville both absent. Both senators attempted to vote by proxy, but those votes did not count toward the final tally.
The bill faces unified Democratic opposition over provisions related to cost-sharing for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
With Republicans lacking a majority, the bill failed to reach the floor, which U.S. Sen. John Boozman, the committee’s chair, called “deeply disappointing,” according to Roll Call.
Comer said the bill is “the number one most important piece of legislation for farmers,” and he expects to see it pass the Senate in September with McConnell’s support.
“I talked to the senator’s staff this morning,” Comer told reporters on Aug. 27. “They said they hope he’s on the Senate floor very soon. The farm bill is something he’s always been involved in.”
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Reach reporter Keely Doll at kdoll@courierjournal.com or on X at @keely_doll.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Mitch McConnell health questions linger as Senate set to reconvene
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