Paramedics responded to a report of a “cardiac arrest” for an “unconscious” person at a known address for Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., on the day his office disclosed he had been hospitalized, according to police scanner audio obtained by NBC News.
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McConnell’s office, which has not disclosed why he was hospitalized, referred NBC News to a June 22 statement when it was asked about the audio.
“Senator McConnell is still working closely with staff on Senate business and Kentucky matters as he continues his recovery. However, he will not be voting this week,” said the statement, from spokesman David Popp.
McConnell’s office has not said whether he remains hospitalized. Punchbowl News previously reported on the response by paramedics.
McConnell’s office said in a short statement on June 14: “Senator McConnell was admitted to the hospital this morning. He is receiving excellent care.” He has not been seen since he was hospitalized.
McConnell, 84, has faced a slew of health issues in recent years. He was hospitalized for more than a week this year with “flu-like symptoms,” and three years ago he tripped at a Washington dinner, after which he was hospitalized with a concussion.
In 2019, he fractured a shoulder when he fell at home.
McConnell raised eyebrows when he froze on camera multiple times in 2023, seemingly unable to answer reporters’ questions immediately.
McConnell, who was first elected in 1984, was the Senate Republican leader from 2007 to 2025, making him the chamber’s longest-serving party leader. He announced last year that he would not seek re-election.
