Republican congressman James Comer has said that Senator Mitch McConnell's staff are aiming for him to return to the Senate later this month, following a fall the Kentucky senator suffered in June. Comer's remarks offer the clearest indication yet of a timeline for McConnell's comeback, addressing ongoing questions about the health and availability of the 84-year-old senator, whose absence has reportedly delayed a key Republican legislative priority.

Comer said he had been in contact with McConnell's staff, who told him it was their "goal" for the senator to be present when the Senate reconvenes on 14 September. McConnell was released from a rehabilitation facility around a month ago after being hospitalised following his fall. He has served in the Senate since 1985 but is not seeking re-election this year, and has separately faced calls from Kentucky's governor to demonstrate his fitness to serve or step down.