Skip to content

Sen. Rand Paul has part of lung removed, injury stems from 2017 assault

Paul suffered an injured lung after a neighbor tackled him to the ground

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., leaves the Senate after speaking on the Senate floor about the budget deal on Wednesday, July 31, 2019. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., leaves the Senate after speaking on the Senate floor about the budget deal on Wednesday, July 31, 2019. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Both senators from Kentucky are on the mend.

Republican Sen. Rand Paul announced Monday that he is recovering from a surgery to treat injuries from his 2017 assault.

“Unfortunately, I will have to limit my August activities. Part of my lung damaged by the 2017 assault had to be removed by surgery this weekend,” Paul said in a tweet. The doctors, nurses, & staff at Vanderbilt University Medical Center were great. I should be able to return to the Senate in September”

Paul suffered six broken ribs and an injured lung after a neighbor tackled him to the ground in late 2017 over what the man said was a dispute about lawn care. Rene Boucher pleaded guilty in 2018 to federal charges of assaulting a member of Congress.

Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell fractured a shoulder Sunday morning when he tripped outside his home in Louisville, Kentucky, his spokesman said in a statement. 

Recent Stories

Five races to watch in Pennsylvania primaries on Tuesday

‘You talk too much’— Congressional Hits and Misses

Senators seek changes to spy program reauthorization bill

Editor’s Note: Congress and the coalition-curious

Photos of the week ending April 19, 2024

Rule for emergency aid bill adopted with Democratic support