McConnell eager to leave hospital after former assistant falls

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell is eager to leave a hospital where he has been receiving treatment for injuries since a fall two days ago, a former aide said on Friday.

Josh Holmes, McConnell’s former chief of staff, said in an email message, “He was with him the last two days. Anyone and everyone who entered his room wearing a name badge was asked if he could leave. Reuters.”

McConnell, who at 81 is one of Washington’s most powerful figures, collapsed at a dinner party Wednesday evening and was expected to stay in the hospital for several days.

Several of his fellow Senate Republicans told reporters Thursday that McConnell is likely to be hospitalized over the weekend. But they said they were confident he would be back on the job when the Senate reconvenes next week.

His absence has left President Joe Biden and Republicans, who control the House of Representatives, deadlocked over the $31.4 trillion debt ceiling. The lack of progress in talks has raised concerns about a possible default in the summer.

As Senate minority leader, McConnell has taken a back seat to Biden and Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on the debt ceiling issue. But independent experts see the Kentucky Republican as a skilled negotiator who can broker a compromise deal in an emergency.

(Reporting by David Morgan, Editing by Deepa Babington)