Mitch McConnell’s Absence Draws New Attention to His Record on Paid Leave

Sen. Mitch McConnell’s extended absence from the U.S. Senate has renewed attention to his long voting record on legislation involving family and medical leave and paid sick time.

McConnell, 84, returned to the Senate on September 14, 2026, after roughly three months away following a fall in June that resulted in hospitalization and rehabilitation. He has said he is continuing to recover and may occasionally miss votes.

The timing has brought renewed scrutiny to several votes McConnell cast during his long Senate career involving workplace leave policies.

McConnell and the 1993 Family and Medical Leave Act

In 1993, the Senate considered the Family and Medical Leave Act, legislation that ultimately became federal law.

Senate records show McConnell voted against final passage of the bill on February 4, 1993. The measure passed the Senate by a vote of 71–27.

The law established job-protected unpaid leave for eligible workers dealing with certain family and medical circumstances.

Votes on Paid Sick Leave

McConnell’s voting record also includes votes concerning proposals for paid sick time.

In March 2015, the Senate considered an amendment establishing a budgetary framework for legislation that would allow Americans to earn paid sick time. The amendment passed 61–39.

In December 2022, the Senate considered a proposal that would have provided railroad workers with seven additional paid sick days. The proposal failed 52–43, with McConnell among the senators voting against it.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Senate also considered competing proposals involving federally mandated paid sick and family leave. On March 18, 2020, McConnell voted on an amendment that would have provided Americans with paid sick time and paid leave; the amendment failed 47–51.

His Recent Absence

McConnell’s absence became particularly noticeable as the Senate reconvened after the summer. He eventually returned to the Capitol on September 14.

According to reports, McConnell said he intended to continue working on legislation and expected that his recovery could occasionally affect his attendance. His return followed several months away from the Senate after his June fall.

McConnell has also announced that he plans to leave the Senate when his current term ends in January 2027.

A Debate Over Paid Leave

The United States does not have a nationwide federal requirement guaranteeing paid sick leave for all private-sector workers. As a result, paid leave has remained an ongoing political and labor-policy debate.

McConnell’s past votes are now being discussed alongside his recent period away from the Senate. The comparison has attracted criticism from some political opponents, while his voting record itself can be reviewed through official Senate records.

The latest development, however, is that McConnell is no longer absent from the Capitol: he returned on September 14 after his three-month absence and has indicated that he intends to continue participating in Senate business.