From the Guardian · · 1m 30s
McConnell is back, and the farm bill was waiting
Three months out with a fall, pneumonia and silence, the 84-year-old rolled back into the Capitol to cast a vote Republicans badly needed.
In brief
Three months out with a fall, pneumonia and silence, the 84-year-old rolled back into the Capitol to cast a vote Republicans badly needed. A 53-47 Senate means one absent senator can stall a farm bill for a whole summer, which is why McConnell's return was scheduled around a committee vote. Originally reported by the…
Back in the chamber
Mitch McConnell returned to the Capitol on Monday and voted to confirm a federal judge for an Ohio district, his first vote since mid-June.
What actually happened
His office said a fall put him in hospital. Weeks later he disclosed he had been briefly unconscious and had mild pneumonia. He left a rehab center last month.
“briefly unconscious”
A wheelchair and a joke
He arrived in a wheelchair looking frailer and stopped for reporters, saying he wasn't sure anyone would turn up after years of him dodging hallway questions.
“But I'm glad to see you. It's time to get back to work.”
Silence bred conspiracies
The information vacuum pulled in online speculation and an open letter from Kentucky's Democratic governor, Andy Beshear, urging him to reassure constituents.
One vote, one stalled bill
Republicans hold the Senate 53-47. Without him, the agriculture committee could not move the farm bill out all summer. A committee vote is now set for Wednesday.
Retiring, not resigning
He steps down in January at the end of his term and has refused to leave early. He blames polio's lingering effects and promises to show up for tough votes.
“I'm still not quite back to 100%”
Here's the gist
A 53-47 Senate means one absent senator can stall a farm bill for a whole summer, which is why McConnell's return was scheduled around a committee vote.
