Mitch McConnell recovery continues as doctors hold off work clearance

Sen. Mitch McConnell recovery is continuing at a rehabilitation facility, but doctors have not cleared the Kentucky Republican to return to work, the congressional physician’s office said Monday. For anyone watching Washington, the update keeps focus on the 84-year-old senator’s health and when he may resume his Senate duties.

The Office of the Attending Physician, known as OAP, said its doctors are meeting with McConnell daily at the rehab facility and are discussing “all aspects of his rehabilitation care,” according to a statement shared by McConnell’s staff in a press release.

McConnell is recovering from a fall last month that the physician’s office described as debilitating. The statement came more than six weeks after he was last seen in public, according to CNBC.

The update from McConnell’s office also included a written statement from the senator apologizing for being unable to attend an annual Kentucky picnic scheduled for next Saturday. His staff also released a photo of McConnell with his wife, Elaine Chao, captioned as having been taken Sunday.

When will Mitch McConnell return to work?

The physician’s office did not give a return date. OAP said McConnell “is not yet medically cleared to leave the rehab facility and return to the office.”

That means the official medical position, as of Monday’s statement, is that McConnell’s recovery has not progressed enough for him to resume work outside the facility. The office described his current program as a demanding rehabilitation plan focused on strength and fall prevention.

“Since his discharge from hospital care, he has maintained a strenuous course of physical therapy and rehabilitation, including multiple sessions a day designed to rebuild strength and reduce the risk of future falls,” OAP said in the statement.

What doctors said about McConnell’s mobility

The physician’s office pointed to McConnell’s history with polio as part of the medical picture. OAP said his childhood experience with the disease “continues to be a significant factor in his mobility.”

Polio is a viral disease that can affect the nervous system and, in some cases, cause long-term muscle weakness or mobility problems. OAP did not provide additional medical details beyond saying McConnell’s prior polio remains relevant to his movement and recovery.

The statement marks the latest public health update on McConnell after his fall and subsequent hospitalization. His office framed the release around his rehabilitation status, his daily contact with congressional doctors and his inability to attend the Kentucky event.

No additional timeline was provided for when doctors may reassess his ability to leave the rehab facility or return to his Senate office.

This story draws on original reporting from CNBC.