Former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, was admitted to the hospital on June 14, though his office did not immediately confirm why the lawmaker needed medical attention.

McConnell spokesperson David Popp shared with reporters that "Senator McConnell was admitted to the hospital this morning" and "he is receiving excellent care."

McConnell, one of the most influential American politicians in modern history, first joined the U.S. Senate in 1984 and served as the Republican leader in the chamber from 2007 through 2024 before he was succeeded by Sen. John Thune of South Dakota.

The Kentucky Republican, 84, announced in February last year that he would retire at the end of his term, which ends in 2027.

McConnell has struggled publicly with his health in recent years. He froze up while speaking with reporters in two 2023 incidents and suffered several falls, using a wheelchair at times as a precaution.

Before his retirement announcement last year, McConnell checked himself into a hospital on Feb. 2 "after experiencing flu-like symptoms."

Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is helped up steps as he enters the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC on Feb. 2, 2026. McConnell checked himself into a hospital on Monday, Feb. 2, "after experiencing flu-like symptoms over the weekend," a spokesperson for the Kentucky Republican told USA TODAY. McConnell, 83, the seven-term Senator from Kentucky who served 18 years as the Republican leader, announced last year that he will not seek reelection and will retire after his current term.

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 6, 2024 in Washington, DC. McConnell, who has served as a Senator from Kentucky since 1985 and is the longest serving senator in his state's history, spoke about the Republican Party taking the Senate majority and his plans for the upcoming congress.

Minority Leader of the U.S. Senate Mitch McConnell speaks during the 60th annual Kentucky State Fair Ham Auction Thursday morning, Aug. 22, 2024.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) arrives for a news conference following a Senate Republican party policy luncheon on Capitol Hill on Sept. 17, 2024 in Washington, DC. Republican Senate leadership spoke to reporters on a range of topics including a defense appropriations bill, In vitro fertilization (IVF) and Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris' policies on the U.S. border and inflation.

Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is helped up steps as he enters the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC on Feb. 2, 2026. McConnell checked himself into a hospital on Monday, Feb. 2, "after experiencing flu-like symptoms over the weekend," a spokesperson for the Kentucky Republican told USA TODAY. McConnell, 83, the seven-term Senator from Kentucky who served 18 years as the Republican leader, announced last year that he will not seek reelection and will retire after his current term.

Contributing: Zachary Schermele, Phillip M. Bailey

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mitch McConnell admitted to hospital