Sen. Mitch McConnell remains hospitalized nearly three weeks after his admission, the Kentucky Republican’s office confirmed Thursday.
A McConnell spokesperson issued a statement on the matter but did not address reports that the 84-year-old senator was found unconscious on June 14 and required CPR after experiencing cardiac arrest.
“Senator McConnell appreciates the outpouring of support he’s receiving while he continues his recovery in the hospital,” the spokesperson said. “The senator continues to improve, and is working closely with his staff on Kentucky and Senate matters while the Senate is out of session.”
The statement comes after an audio recording of the EMS dispatch to Mr. McConnell’s Capitol Hill residence on June 14 circulated on the internet.
The dispatcher can be heard on the recording telling EMS responders that an individual at Mr. McConnell’s address was “found unconscious.”
The EMS dispatch audio was first posted online by journalist Desiree Townsend.
NBC News later posted police scanner audio in which the dispatcher referred to the “unconscious” individual needing response for “cardiac arrest.” The medic can be heard saying “CPR in progress.”
Mr. McConnell’s office has not verified either audio recording or disclosed the reasons for the senator’s hospitalization.
The Washington Times has asked the spokesperson for details on what exactly Mr. McConnell is recovering from.
Mr. McConnell is the Senate’s longest-serving party leader. He stepped down from leadership at the conclusion of the previous Congress, in which he experienced a few health incidents, including freezing mid-speech on two separate occasions and multiple falls.
Mr. McConnell did not run for reelection, but plans to finish out his current term, which ends in January.
Rep. Andy Barr is expected to succeed Mr. McConnell after winning the Republican nomination for the Kentucky seat.
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