Senator Mitch McConnell cast the deciding vote to advance the Agriculture Act of 2026, known as Farm Bill 2.0, from the Senate Agriculture Committee in Washington on 16 September. Footage of the 84-year-old Kentucky Republican's voting exchange drew online concern about his health and return to work.
McConnell returned to the Senate on 14 September after a prolonged absence following a June fall, hospitalisation and rehabilitation. Republicans had failed to advance the legislation on a 10-11 vote on 6 August while McConnell was absent, as his proxy vote could not count towards final passage out of committee.
