Minority Chief Mitch McConnell jokes about his concussion upon return to Senate

Senate Minority Chief Mitch McConnell returned to the Senate on Monday after a five-and-a-half-week absence as he recovered from a concussion. 

“It’s good to be again,” McConnell declared in his first Senate floor speech since early March. 

“Suffice it to say, this wasn’t the primary time that being hardheaded has served me very effectively,” the 81-year-old Kentucky Republican joked concerning the head damage that led to his hospitalization and absence. 

McConnell was diagnosed with a concussion and a minor rib fracture after a March 8 fall throughout a non-public dinner on the Waldorf Astoria resort in Washington, DC. 

The Kentucky Republican was launched from the hospital on March 13 after which continued remedy at an inpatient rehabilitation facility, the place he stayed till March 25.

“There’s necessary enterprise for Congress to deal with,” McConnell added in his speech Monday. “We ought to be working to undo this Administration’s errors. We have to safe the border, cut back crime, struggle inflation, and put money into America’s energy and safety.”

The minority chief additionally scolded President Biden, accusing him of refusing to barter with Home Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) over the debt restrict, which is projected to run out as quickly as June. 

“On an much more fundamental stage, President Biden and his Administration are ‘on the clock’ to barter a debt ceiling resolution with Speaker McCarthy and the Republican majority within the Home,” McConnell mentioned. 

“President Biden doesn’t get to stay his fingers in his ears and refuse to pay attention, discuss, or negotiate. And the American individuals know that. The White Home must cease losing time and begin negotiating with Speaker McCarthy,” he demanded. 

The Senate reconvened Monday afternoon after a two-week break for Easter. 

The top of the Easter recess additionally noticed the return of Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) to the higher chamber. The 53-year-old was hospitalized for six weeks for despair remedy and missed greater than 60 Senate votes throughout his absence. 

The Pennsylvania Democrat dodged reporters’ questions on Monday, however tweeted, “it’s good to be again.”