Senator Mitch McConnell announced on Thursday that he has been discharged from a rehabilitation center and will continue recovering at home following a fall in mid-June. The 84-year-old Republican from Kentucky has been absent from the Senate since June 14, when he was initially hospitalized after the accident, which left him briefly unconscious.

McConnell’s office disclosed that during his hospital stay, the senator developed pneumonia and was treated with antibiotics. Since then, he has undergone intensive physical therapy and will maintain this regimen at home based on medical advice. In a statement, McConnell expressed gratitude for the care he received and indicated he would remain engaged with his staff and Senate colleagues on legislative matters despite his absence.

The senator has not provided a concrete timeline for his return to the Capitol. The Senate is scheduled to recess for five weeks and reconvene on September 14, making it unlikely that McConnell will attend any sessions before then. His absence has coincided with missed votes, including on the Senate Agriculture Committee, where the failure to advance a farm bill was partly attributed to his and Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s (R-Alabama) absences.

McConnell, who stepped down last year as Senate minority leader after 18 years in the role, now serves as chair of the Senate Rules Committee. He is not seeking reelection in November and plans to conclude a 41-year Senate career in January. His anticipated successor, Rep. Andy Barr, won the Republican primary and is favored to take over McConnell’s seat.

The senator’s health and extended absence have prompted scrutiny and speculation from both Democrats and Republicans. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, a Democrat, recently called on McConnell to provide evidence of his ability to serve or consider resignation. While some Senate Republicans, including Majority Leader John Thune and Sen. John Barrasso, have reported regular communication with McConnell, others have noted little contact during his recovery.

Comparisons have been made to other senators who have missed significant time while addressing health issues, such as Sen. John Fetterman and the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein. McConnell has emphasized that he did not suffer any broken bones, concussions, heart attacks, strokes, or hemorrhages from the fall. Senate colleagues have voiced support for allowing him to prioritize his health and recovery.

Kentucky recently changed its law regarding Senate vacancies, instituting a special election to fill a seat if a senator is unable to complete their term, a departure from previous practice where the governor appointed a replacement. This change has added a layer of interest in McConnell’s ongoing health status and potential future in office.