Longtime senator facing health questions falls down stairs in Washington

Kentucky senior U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell fell down the stairs in Washington Wednesday afternoon, according to media reports.

Fox News congressional correspondent Chad Pergram posted to social media site X that he’d confirmed the incident occurred after McConnell, 82, voted to confirm Scott Turner as the secretary of United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“Unclear about injuries. But Fox is told he appears to be ok. McConnell was helped up by Sens. Steve Daines (R-MT) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK),” Pergram posted.

Another reporter with Washington outlet Punchbowl News witnessed the fall.

“Sen McConnell just fell down the stairs on his way out of the chamber,” Diego Areas Munhoz wrote on X. “He got up with the help from some senators and seemed to walk it off as he left.”

The fall is the latest in a series of health incidents the senator has experienced.

Late last year, the senator sprained his wrist and cut his face as a result of another fall in Washington.

Prior to that, he experienced two high-profile “freeze up” incidents on camera. Both occurred during the Summer of 2023 — one at a press conference in Washington and another at an event in Northern Kentucky.

In March 2023, McConnell had to go the hospital after falling at a dinner event in Washington.

The incidents have prompted questions over whether or not McConnell will seek reelection in 2026, when his six-year term is up.

McConnell, who was born in Sheffield, has not publicly made a commitment either way.

McConnell was just replaced by South Dakota U.S. Senator John Thune as leader of the Senate Republican caucus.

McConnell’s office did not immediately return a Herald-Leader request for comment on the incident.

This breaking news story may be updated.