Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Monday that Sen. Rand Paul’s injuries after being personally attacked over the weekend create another potential “challenge” for the Republican Senate that holds a slim two-vote majority as it looks to enact the GOP agenda.
McConnell told reporters in Kentucky Monday that he hopes Paul is able to recover soon after he was attacked by a neighbor over the weekend and suffered five broken ribs. It is unknown when Paul, also of Kentucky, will return to Washington.
“We’re thinking about him and hoping he’ll recover quickly and be able to come back to the Senate very soon,” McConnell said.
McConnell has had to deal with multiple health issues by members within the Republican ranks, including Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss. Both senators have missed time in the Senate in recent months after being diagnosed with brain cancer and a urological infection, respectively.
“Every day’s a Maalox moment,” McConnell reportedly joked.
“I’ve got a 52 to 48 majority, and as you saw on several occasions, we’re not always totally in lockstep,” McConnell said. “Anytime we have a senator on our side who’s not there, it’s potentially a challenge.”
Doug Stafford, Paul’s chief of staff, said that Paul is in a considerable amount of pain and is having trouble moving around, including traveling. Recovery time could range from a few weeks to months, according to Stafford.
