WASHINGTON — Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) was found “unconscious” and may have suffered a heart attack at his DC residence before being rushed to a local hospital last month, according to a District Fire and EMS dispatch call made public Wednesday.
The June 14 call referenced medical personnel in an ALS, or Advanced Life Support, ambulance being sent to the home shortly before 9 a.m. and mentioned there was “CPR in progress” for a “cardiac arrest.”
Punchbowl News first reported on the EMS radio traffic.
Reps for the former Senate GOP leader did not comment on the communications.
A McConnell spokesman on the day of the incident shared that the Kentucky senator “was admitted to the hospital this morning” and was “receiving excellent care.”
The next day, spokesman David Popp said McConnell was “working closely with staff on Senate business and Kentucky matters as he continues his recovery.”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) also said his predecessor was “dialed in” on their conference’s legislative business, while Thune himself had spoken to McConnell by phone.
The 84-year-old has suffered multiple falls that left him with a concussion and cracked rib in recent years, in addition to eerie public freeze-ups due to apparent light-headedness.
In February, McConnell was previously hospitalized for flu-like symptoms. He’s been seen recently in the Capitol being escorted around in a wheelchair.
The Senate is on recess until July 13.
McConnell served as the leader of the Senate GOP from 2007 until January 2025. He had announced his plans to step down from the position in February of this previous year.
In February 2025, he announced that he wouldn’t be seeking re-election to an eighth term in 2026. Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.) won the Republican primary race this year to replace him.
