US Senator McConnell discharged from rehab centre and returning home

US Senator Mitch McConnell has been discharged from a rehabilitation centre and will continue to recover at home, he said in a statement on Thursday.

The 84-year-old Kentucky Republican was admitted to hospital in mid-June after experiencing a fall and "a mild case of pneumonia". He moved to the rehab centre last month, saying he was not "medically cleared" to return to the Senate.

At home, he will "maintain an intensive regimen of physical therapy" and will "continue to engage with my staff and colleagues on important Senate business," he said.

McConnell's absence has spurred ongoing speculation about his health and future in the chamber, where he was a major power broker for decades.

"Elaine and I are grateful for the many well wishes and support from friends, colleagues, and Kentuckians, and for the attentive care I've received from excellent doctors, nurses, therapists, and hospital staff," McConnell said.

After weeks of concern regarding his health and ongoing absence from work, McConnell - the longest-serving Senate party leader in US history - released a statement on 12 July saying he was "briefly unconscious" after a fall.

Once admitted to hospital, he said he "submitted to every test they can think of to help figure out what caused this incident".

His office also released a photo on 27 July of McConnell sitting and smiling alongside his wife, former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.

Other than this, there has been limited communication and detail from McConnell and his office about his condition.

A polio survivor, McConnell has faced a number of health challenges in recent years.

In 2024, he was injured after tripping outside a Senate lunch event, and earlier this year he was admitted to hospital for flu.

He has said he will retire in January at the end of his term in the Senate.