# Mitch McConnell falls twice in Capitol **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [February 6, 2025, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937 "2025-02-06T00:54:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 43
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2026, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/842 "2026-08-06T21:46:51Z")
Possibly he’s working to regain the ability to speak. That could be pretty intensive. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2026, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/843 "2026-08-06T22:10:51Z")
@puzzlegal That’s also possible. But if he’s unable to communicate clearly in any fashion, then he’s not competent to do his job in Congress. And given how long the situation’s been going on, IMO he should have resigned. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2026, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/844 "2026-08-06T22:16:19Z")
> [@peedin](#): > > Probably teaching him to use a Walker. I doubt it is that advanced. Probably more along the lines of learning how to feed himself, wipe the drool off the paralyzed side of his mouth, and talk. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2026, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/845 "2026-08-06T23:14:11Z")
> [@peedin](#): > > Probably teaching him to use a Walker. The way you capitalized that word, it’s like he’s being sent home in the care of a Texas Ranger. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2026, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/846 "2026-08-06T23:57:11Z")
> [@peedin](#): > > He’s 84 with one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel. How intensive can the PT be? Relearning how to use his arms and legs, standing up and keeping his balance, walking (with or without a walker, but probably with), working out with light weights, swimming - or at least exercise in a pool; being able to hold a pen and write, not to mention working on his speech and being able to use at least a spoon and fork. Yeah, I’m at the stage of my life where I can rattle off a complete physical therapy regime without googling. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/847 "2026-08-07T00:09:53Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > And given how long the situation’s been going on, IMO he should have resigned. I for one am perfectly content to have one fewer R vote in the Senate for the rest of the year. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/848 "2026-08-07T00:12:16Z")
Me, too. I would be annoyed if my elected representative wasn’t able to do the job, though. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/849 "2026-08-07T00:55:06Z")
Agreeing with both @puzzlegal and @Smapti. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/850 "2026-08-07T02:57:29Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > To the extent his Senate staff know what’s going on, they could share too, if they chose to. Under HIPAA, perhaps. But they are almost certainly under NDAs as well. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/851 "2026-08-07T03:04:29Z")
If, as several people have very reasonable supposed, McConnell is unable to speak, then he is probably also unable to chew and swallow food. It’s likely that he would have a feeding tube and his PT would be primarily focused on the mouth and throat. (IANAD or a PT) ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/852 "2026-08-07T03:08:24Z")
The thing I still can’t make sense of is the calm video of him being placed into the ambulance. In the context of the CPR reports it just doesn’t make any sense. Nobody is on top of him pumping, ans there is no machine doing that job. Nobody is running or rushing him out of there. It just doesn’t track. Nothing makes sense, and there is no reason to leave the public in suspense this way; perhaps excepting how much Mitch enjoys being the center of attention. As for giving press conferences, he’s been unable to do that for at least a year. The freezing up, and the men standing behind him to catch him if he falls were not subtle. There comes a point where allowing people to stay on the job is just elder abuse. Reagan reached that point, and so have Trump and McConnell. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/853 "2026-08-07T03:13:20Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > There comes a point where allowing people to stay on the job is just elder abuse. Reagan reached that point, and so have Trump and McConnell. I don’t disagree, but as our laws and Constitution stand today, there are only four ways to get a Senator out of office: - They lose an election - They voluntarily retire - They are impeached, convicted, and forcibly removed from office - They die If it’s a President, then there is the fifth way: using the 25th Amendment to declare him unfit to serve. If said person is alive, and doesn’t _want_ to retire, the only remedies are either vote them out of office, or take up Constitutional proceedings to evict them – which are a very high bar, and a very difficult thing to do. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/854 "2026-08-07T04:46:20Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > I don’t disagree, but as our laws and Constitution stand today, there are only four ways to get a Senator out of office: > > - They lose an election > - They voluntarily retire > - They are impeached, convicted, and forcibly removed from office > - They die You left out expulsion per Article I Section 5; > Each House may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two thirds, expel a member. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/855 "2026-08-07T04:56:52Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > But if he’s unable to communicate clearly in any fashion, then he’s not competent to do his job in Congress. Which, if we think about it, the longer ol’ Mitch stays out, the best for us, right? But a number of people in Congress have been out much longer than this (IIRC I posted several here a long time ago), although generally the public at least was told the basics. So, really it is not how long the has been out- it is the secrecy that is bothering people. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/856 "2026-08-07T05:47:51Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > So, really it is not how long the has been out- it is the secrecy that is bothering people. Yup, and the secrecy has, as shown by this thread, spawned much speculation: on McConnell’s actual condition, and on _why_ his team has been so secretive. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/857 "2026-08-07T06:15:51Z")
Apparently he cast two proxy votes today. > **[Mitch McConnell Is Voting, But He’s Still on Medical Leave](https://www.notus.org/congress/mitch-mcconnell-is-voting-but-hes-still-on-medical-leave)** > > The Kentucky Republican broke ties on amendment votes “by proxy” on the farm bill Thursday. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/858 "2026-08-07T11:51:32Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > the secrecy has, as shown by this thread, spawned much speculation: on McConnell’s actual condition, and on _why_ his team has been so secretive > [@Smapti](#): > > Apparently he cast two proxy votes today Oh. That’s why. The seat’s not effectively vacant. They’re voting for him. And if he’s not competent to vote — that’s just plain wrong. Even if it’s legal. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/859 "2026-08-07T11:55:59Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > You left out expulsion per Article I Section 5; > > > Each House may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two thirds, expel a member. Well, I’m pretty certain _that_ won’t happen. It’s hard to be disorderly without showing up. > [@TruCelt](#): > > There comes a point where allowing people to stay on the job is just elder abuse. Unlike most jobs, there don’t seem to be any actual requirements attached to “senator”. So i don’t see how he’s being abused. He gets excellent medical care and no responsibilities. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/860 "2026-08-07T12:03:02Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > So i don’t see how he’s being abused. Well, for one thing votes ARE being entered in his name - in committees. Senate committees make their own rules regarding whether or not voting by proxy will be allowed. So, for instance, he won’t be voting for or against the appointment of Todd Blanche, but his vote would have been entered “by proxy” to advance the vote to the floor. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/861 "2026-08-07T13:48:42Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > Well, for one thing votes ARE being entered in his name - in committees. Senate committees make their own rules regarding whether or not voting by proxy will be allowed. > > So, for instance, he won’t be voting for or against the appointment of Todd Blanche, but his vote would have been entered “by proxy” to advance the vote to the floor I’m glad you pointed this out. Looking at @Smapti 's link above, votes by proxy happen to be allowed in the US Senate’s Agricultural committee, where Committee Chair John Boozman (R-AR) voted for himself and McConnell - purportedly with McConnell’s direct assent the night of August 5th. Perhaps this is also allowed in some other committees (hopefully none of the biggies, although Agriculture is deceptively big), or perhaps not in very many others. I want to see if this information is publicly available (one would hope). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937.md?page=42) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937.md?page=44)