Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell, 83, fell in a Capitol hallway Thursday afternoon, raising new concerns about the longtime senator’s health as he nears retirement after nearly 40 years in the Senate.
The fall occurred as McConnell was approached by two environmental activists from the Sunrise Movement. They asked him about Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s actions against immigrant workers. A video shared on social media showed McConnell walking with assistance from his security detail. One activist stepped toward him and asked, “Do you support ICE taking working people off the street and kidnapping them?” Moments later, the senator lost his footing and collapsed.
Witnesses said McConnell appeared shaken but unhurt. With help from his aide and a Capitol Police officer, he was quickly lifted to his feet. McConnell smiled, waved, and continued to the Senate chamber. “He’s all good,” his press secretary said. “He went on to vote and was ready to vote again at 1:30, to see if Democrats decide to fund our nation’s defense priorities or not.”
The incident came as the Senate continued voting on measures to fund the government. The shutdown had entered its 16th day on Thursday. McConnell later participated in those votes. Outwardly, he remained determined to maintain his duties despite recent physical setbacks.
McConnell announced in February that he will not seek re-election. He is expected to retire at the end of his seventh term in January 2027. He stepped down last year as Senate Republican leader after 18 years at the helm, the longest tenure of any party leader in Senate history. “It’s time for the next generation of leadership,” McConnell said at the time. He framed his departure as a necessary transition for the party’s future.
A survivor of childhood polio, McConnell has long walked with a noticeable limp. But in recent years, concerns about his health have grown after a string of public incidents. In 2023, he was hospitalized after a serious fall that left him with a concussion and a fractured rib. This sidelined him from Senate duties for several weeks. Later that same year, he froze twice while speaking to reporters. These episodes fueled speculation about his fitness to serve.
The Sunrise Movement, a youth-led climate activist group whose members confronted McConnell on Thursday, declined to apologize. In a statement, Aru Shiney-Ajay, the group’s executive director, said McConnell’s inability to respond was “not the first time he hasn’t been able to answer young people.” Shiney-Ajay added, “Both parties are run by out-of-touch octogenarians who have been in politics longer than we’ve been alive. Their incompetence and need to cling to power aren’t just embarrassing; they’re costly, and the American people are paying the price.”
Though the Capitol Police have not issued a formal statement—their press office remains partly closed due to the shutdown—the episode has reignited public debate over the advanced age of top lawmakers. More than a quarter of the U.S. Senate is now over 70. This generational reality has prompted growing calls for age or term limits in Congress.
McConnell’s supporters have consistently emphasized his resilience and experience. Allies note that, despite his falls and limitations, he has maintained a steady presence in the chamber. He continues to influence Republican strategy behind the scenes. His fall on Thursday, they said, was an unfortunate but manageable incident for a man whose career has weathered decades of political storms.
Still, for Washington’s power brokers, the moment reminded them that even the most durable figures in American politics are not immune to time. McConnell’s steady gait through the halls of power now comes with the visible aid of a security arm. But his influence, for now, remains upright.
