Mitch McConnell, 82, falls down the stairs while leaving Senate chamber, sparks calls for retirement

WASHINGTON, DC: Senator Mitch McConnell, 82, fell down a marble staircase on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, February 5, after voting for Donald Trump's Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner.

The Kentucky Republican tumbled just after the longtime lawmaker exited the Senate floor.

Mitch McConnell fell down the stairs twice in a day

Mitch McConnell was reportedly helped up by Steve Daines (R-Mont) and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla). 

The Punch Bowl News reported the senator fell twice inside the Senate chambers. Even though he was helped once while misstepping the stairs, the senator also fell while inside the chambers, according to Independent. 

The reports come as concerns continue to mount about the senator’s ability to serve.

It follows his several public episodes in which he has appeared to freeze for several seconds while taking questions from reporters, leading to questions about his health and the age a senator needs to serve. 

Mitch McConnell sprained his wrist and cut his face during December fall

Mitch McConnell's latest incident took place in December when he fell over during a Senate lunch.

Medical staff with a wheelchair were called in to assist after the senator fell during lunch and sprained his wrist.

According to a witness who saw McConnell after the incident, he also had a cut on his face, as per Daily Mail. 

McConnell fell multiple times in the weeks before he froze for 20 seconds at the Capitol in July 2023 and had to be helped by his colleagues.

He had earlier "faceplanted" when getting off a plane at Washington's Reagan Airport which reportedly sparked a series of incidents in 2023. 

Notably, McConnell, the longest-serving party leader in the upper chamber’s history, announced his intention to stand down from leadership in February 2024.

He has vowed to serve out the last two years of his six-year term which ends in 2026.

Internet calls for Mitch McConnell's retirement

The internet like before has once again called on Mitch McConnell to retire, with some suggesting his continued services are "an elder abuse."

"It’s time to retire," conservative commentator Benny Johnson said of McConnell on X after his fall. 

"The Congress is a den of liars, thieves and apparently now nursing home patients," one X user posted. "Mitch McConnell needs to retire," he added.

"How long must this continue before he acknowledges his dignity and RETIRES? Is his continued service nothing short of ELDER ABUSE by those around him?" one more user wrote.

Conservative commentator, Collin Rugg suggested him to "Step aside," adding, "The Republican is 82 years old."

Nick Sorter, like several others, asked for term limits by writing, "This is at LEAST the second time in the past several months. He can no longer walk, nor can he speak. TERM. LIMITS."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.