Misused public funds
McConnell drew his full Senate salary during a 92-day absence after a fall; Popular Information counts at least 23 votes against paid or expanded medical leave since 1985
Confidence: Corroborated · 4 sourcesKentucky · Sep 21, 2026
Subject of this story
Mitch McConnell, U.S. Senator for Kentucky
What happened
Sen. Mitch McConnell was hospitalized after a June 14, 2026 fall that briefly knocked him unconscious and returned to the Senate on September 14, 2026 after a 92-day absence. He continued to draw his $174,000 annual salary (about $43,858 for that period); the Senate has no paid-sick-leave cap. Judd Legum's Popular Information documents McConnell voting against creating or expanding paid or unpaid medical leave at least 23 times since 1985, and reports he never brought the Healthy Families Act to a Senate floor vote as majority leader.
Sources (4)
CNNReports McConnell's own statement that a fall caused his hospitalization.
NPRIndependently confirms the fall and hospitalization timeline.
CNBCConfirms the 92-day absence and return date.
Popular InformationIndependent investigative newsletter documenting McConnell's voting record against paid/medical leave (at least 23 votes since 1985) and the salary-during-absence calculation.
Response
Mitch McConnell
Statement given
Contacted and responded — exact wording not on record.
What happened next (0)
No outcome recorded yet.