After sustaining a severe concussion and possible severe brain injury in a fall last month, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell may be on the verge of retiring.

“Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell has been out of the public eye for weeks, following a serious fall that hospitalized him. Now multiple sources confirm that Senators John Barrasso of Wyoming, John Cornyn of Texas, and John Thune of South Dakota are actively reaching out to fellow Republican senators in efforts to prepare for an anticipated leadership vote — a vote that would occur upon the announcement that McConnell would be retiring from his duties as leader, and presumably the Senate itself,” The Spectator reported.

“One source says that Cornyn has been particularly active in his preparations, taking fellow senators with whom he has little in common to lunch in attempts to court them. Requests are being targeted at a plethora of conservative senators, including the sixteen who voted to delay the leadership election earlier this year, a proxy for opposition to McConnell’s leadership. Rick Scott, the Florida senator and former NRSC head who challenged McConnell, ultimately received ten protest votes. These members could prove key to determining the next Republican leader. Queries are also being made internally about the rules regarding replacement, and how the contest would be structured given the lack of an obvious heir apparent,” the outlet added.

McConnell experienced a "major fall and concussion" at the Senate Leadership Fund on March 8 at the Waldorf Astoria, formerly the Trump Hotel, and has been absent ever since. Mitch McConnell is 81.

— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) April 13, 2023

“The Republican bigshot, 81, banged his brain in a terrible March 9 tumble at Washington D.C.’s Waldorf Astoria hotel — nearly four years after another serious fall forced him to have shoulder surgery,” RadarOnline reported.

After his recent accident, McConnell was admitted to the hospital, where he remained for six days to receive treatment. After his release, he was transferred to an inpatient rehabilitation facility to receive treatment for a brain injury. A medical expert told the news source that can cause “loss of consciousness, convulsions, seizures, loss of coordination, slurred speech, agitation, and confusion.”

In addition to his childhood experience with polio, sources reportedly informed the publication that McConnell has had other medical emergencies in the past. Included in this is a 2003 triple bypass operation.

In a public appearance three years ago, he sported injured and bandaged hands, but refused to provide an explanation for the injury, according to the publication.

“McConnell’s falls could be the result of a coordination problem that signifies the presence of a more serious progressive cognitive condition,” one expert, Dr. Gabe Mirkin — who has not treated McConnell — told RadarOnline.

A D.C. insider told the outlet: “Mitch has been a lion of the Senate so long that it’s hard to imagine him not being there. But he’s 81 years old, and this isn’t the first time that he’s fallen. The talk is he may consider stepping down long before his current six-year term expires in 2027!”

If McConnell is forced to resign, Democratic Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear will appoint his replacement, who will serve until 2026, when McConnell would have been up for re-election.

After collapsing and being hospitalized, McConnell’s close associates warned earlier this month that he would not return to his legislative duties as quickly as some believed.

“He is expected to remain in the hospital for a few days of observation and treatment. The Leader is grateful to the medical professionals for their care and to his colleagues for their warm wishes,” his communications director David Popp said in a statement to Axios shortly after McConnell’s accident.

A few days later, Popp described McConnell’s proposed treatment plan.

“Leader McConnell’s concussion recovery is proceeding well and the Leader was discharged from the hospital today. At the advice of his physician, the next step will be a period of physical therapy at an inpatient rehabilitation facility before he returns home,” Popp said last week.

“The Leader and Secretary Chao are deeply thankful for the skilled medical care, prayers, and kindness they have received,” continued Popp on behalf of McConnell and his wife, the former Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao.

More on this story via Conservative Brief:

Additionally, Popp disclosed that McConnell had incurred a minor rib fracture in addition to the previously disclosed concussion from the accident, information that had not been previously shared. One of McConnell’s aides, meanwhile, indicated that the Republican leader might stay at the medical facility for a period ranging from several days to a few weeks, according to CNN. CONTINUE READING…