Mitch McConnell to Remain Hospitalized 'for a Few Days' After Fall at D.C. Hotel Gave Him Concussion

Brandon Livesay
·1 min read
9
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell goes on and off the floor during an all night session to consider the Republican healthcare bill on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC Thursday July 27, 2017.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell goes on and off the floor during an all night session to consider the Republican healthcare bill on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC Thursday July 27, 2017.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Melina Mara/The Washington Post via Getty Mitch McConnell

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is expected to remain in the hospital for multiple days after falling during a dinner event on Wednesday.

In an initial statement shared with PEOPLE, a representative for McConnell said, "Leader McConnell tripped at a local hotel during a private dinner. He has been admitted to the hospital where he is receiving treatment."

A later statement from McConnell's communications director revealed that he got a concussion from the fall and is expected to remain in the hospital "for a few days of observation and treatment."

The 81-year-old Republican tripped while he was at the Waldorf Astoria hotel on Wednesday, CNN reported, citing a source familiar with the incident.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky

Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images

RELATED: Mitch McConnell Reelected as Republican Senate Leader

McConnell's incident this week is the latest in a series of health troubles the Senate's longest-serving GOP leader has suffered in recent years.

Back in 2019, he fractured a shoulder after falling at home, and in 2020, McConnell was photographed with dark bruises and bandages on his hands.

McConnell — who has been elected to lead the Republican conference nine times since 2006 — waved off any concerns regarding his health at the time, however.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The minority leader's hospitalization comes on the heels of two other prominent senators' hospital stays.

Dianne Feinstein was released from the hospital this week and is now recovering at home after she got shingles.

John Fetterman, meanwhile, recently checked into a hospital for clinical depression, a move that took place after he was admitted last month for feeling lightheaded, a result of not eating or drinking enough water.