U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) remains unable to return to the Senate floor to vote, following a fall at home that led to his hospitalization. McConnell’s office posted a written statement detailing his health, revealing that he developed pneumonia early in his hospitalization and is currently undergoing intensive physical therapy.
Impact on the Senate
The absence of McConnell, combined with the death of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), has left Republicans with an effective 51-47 voting advantage in the Senate. Graham’s death was caused by an aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, according to preliminary findings from the D.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
President Donald Trump has urged South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster to appoint Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, as the interim senator. Once sworn in, the appointee would fill Graham’s vacant seat, but McConnell’s continued absence would reduce the number of Republicans available to vote.
The two absences could complicate work on defense and national security legislation, Russia sanctions, a lapsed federal surveillance program, and President Trump’s nominees during a compressed four-week Senate session.
Original reporting: The Dallas Express — read the source article.
