Mitch McConnell's Health Sparks Speculation: What's Really Happening?
Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell released a new health update and photograph on Monday, stating that his recovery from a June fall remains ongoing and that he has not yet been medically cleared to return to his Senate office.
In a statement issued by his office alongside a photo of McConnell with his wife, former U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, the 84-year-old Republican said he is "still working hard" to resume his full schedule in Washington and his home state. While expressing disappointment at missing this weekend's Fancy Farm Picnic—a high-profile political gathering in western Kentucky—he voiced optimism about returning to work soon.
"There's no place I'd rather be on the first Saturday in August than with the good people of western Kentucky," McConnell said, adding that he is "looking forward to getting back to the Senate and to Kentucky soon."
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The update included a statement from the Office of the Attending Physician, which said McConnell continues to recover at a rehabilitation facility following his hospitalization. According to his doctors, he is undergoing multiple physical therapy and rehabilitation sessions each day aimed at rebuilding strength and reducing the risk of future falls.
His physician said McConnell's history of childhood polio remains "a significant factor in his mobility." The office said doctors are monitoring his recovery daily and continue to oversee all aspects of his rehabilitation plan.
Mitch McConnell's Senate Absence Raises Concerns
McConnell, Kentucky's longest-serving senator, has been absent from the Senate since his June fall.
The lengthy absence from public view has sparked widespread speculation about the condition of the Kentucky Republican while fueling calls for change in the health disclosure requirements to which members of Congress are subject.
McConnell has not been seen publicly for weeks and has missed every roll call vote in the Senate since June 11, according to GovTrack.us. His office released a photo of him in a hospital bed in mid-July, as well as a statement saying the absence was a result of a fall and a case of pneumonia, though it has done little to quell suspicions regarding his health and whereabouts.
In addition to talk of reforming congressional rules and pressure on the retiring lawmaker to return to work—especially given Republicans are already grappling with a slim majority in the Senate—McConnell’s extended absence is leading to calls from voters, journalists and fellow members of Congress for transparency on the part of his staffers.
Jack Richter, a spokesperson for Governor Andy Beshear, told Newsweek on Friday that McConnell had not responded to repeated requests to publicly address questions about his health.
"Gov. Beshear has called on Senator McConnell a number of times to demonstrate, publicly, that he is fit to serve in office, but the senator hasn't responded to his requests, nor to our knowledge has he responded to GOP senators asking him for an update," Richter said.
Criticism has also come from some of McConnell's allies. Scott Jennings, a longtime adviser and supporter of the former Senate Republican leader, said Thursday that more transparency earlier in McConnell's absence could have prevented speculation about his condition. "Truthfully, I think a little transparency on the front end here would have saved him a whole lot of grief," Jennings told CNN.
Calls for greater transparency have also come from Democrats. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York said McConnell should step down if he cannot provide further information about his condition.
"If he can't give us an update, he should resign," Ocasio-Cortez told reporters Thursday. "It's been very clear to people across Kentucky that his 'update' was not sufficient...We need to know if you're capable of doing the job for the foreseeable future."
McConnell has suffered a number of falls and health scares in recent years. According to a statement released by his office on July 12, the senator said his extended absence from Congress was because of a fall and a “mild case of pneumonia.”
“My doctors have confirmed that I didn’t break any bones or suffer a concussion. I didn’t have a heart attack or a stroke. I don’t have any tumors or hemorrhages. But I was briefly unconscious and was taken to the hospital,” the statement read.
Mitch McConnell's Monday Statement in Full
“I’m still working hard to get back to my full schedule of work in the Senate and in Kentucky, keeping up with intense physical therapy per my doctors’ orders. Unfortunately, that means I won’t be able to make it to Fancy Farm, Kentucky this Saturday.
“There’s no place I’d rather be on the first Saturday in August than with the good people of western Kentucky, feasting on pork and mutton. When I first attended forty-two years ago, Fancy Farm was a pretty lonely place to be a Republican. But, my, how times have changed. Today, western Kentucky is a conservative Republican sea of red. So I hate that I’ll miss the fun this year, but I’m sending my best wishes to the St. Jerome community for a successful picnic.
“As always, I appreciate all of your continued well wishes, and I’m looking forward to getting back to the Senate and to Kentucky soon.”
Mitch McConnell's Physician Releases Statement
“Senator McConnell continues his recovery from a fall at home in June. OAP physicians visit with the Senator every day, discussing all aspects of his rehabilitation care. Since his discharge from hospital care, he has maintained a strenuous course of physical therapy and rehabilitation, including multiple sessions a day designed to rebuild strength and reduce the risk of future falls. His bout with childhood polio continues to be a significant factor in his mobility. He is not yet medically cleared to leave the rehab facility and return to the office.”
This is a breaking news article. Updates to follow.
Contact Newsweek editors for this story: Anthony Murray.
