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Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, is demanding that Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., prove he is fit to continue serving in Congress after he was discharged this week following a lengthy hospital stay or resign from office.
In a letter to McConnell, the governor urged the 84-year-old senator to directly address the people of Kentucky about his ability to serve.
“I am calling on you to directly and verbally address the people of Kentucky and provide proof of your capacity to serve, or resign,” Beshear wrote to McConnell.
MCCONNELL OUT OF HOSPITAL, STILL NOT ‘MEDICALLY CLEARED’ TO RETURN TO SENATE
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is demanding Sen. Mitch McConnell prove that he is fit to continue serving. (Sen. Mitch McConnell’s office)
Beshear made the demand after McConnell’s office announced on Monday that he had been discharged from the hospital but had not yet been medically cleared to leave the rehabilitation facility where he has been undergoing physical therapy and return to office.
The senator’s office said he would miss a major Kentucky political event and upcoming Senate votes.
“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 … 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,” McConnell said in a statement.
McConnell was hospitalized on June 14 and later revealed that it was due to a fall at his home.
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The senator’s office said he would miss a major Kentucky political event and upcoming Senate votes. (Sen. Mitch McConnell’s office)
“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,” the Attending Physician’s office said in a statement.
Beshear first urged McConnell earlier this month to release more information about his health after weeks of no public comments.
The governor also sent a letter on Tuesday to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., calling on him to investigate McConnell’s condition if the senator does not prove that he is capable of continuing his term.
“All of this speculation and even this letter could have been avoided with a minimal amount of transparency,” Beshear wrote to Thune.
Digital has reached out to the offices of Beshear, McConnell and Thune.
The governor urged the 84-year-old senator to directly address the people of Kentucky about his ability to serve. (Ryan C. Hermens/Lexington Herald-Leader/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
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Since he was hospitalized last month, McConnell’s office has issued major updates on July 12 and July 27, with each notice featuring a photograph.
This comes amid intensified public scrutiny of aging elected officials in recent years over mental gaffes and deaths in office.
Former Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., died in 2023 and former Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., died earlier this month. Former President Joe Biden suspended his re-election campaign in 2024 in the face of bipartisan pressure due to his age and mental acuity. President Donald Trump’s fitness to serve has also been questioned by Democrats who have raised concerns about his mental acuity, age and health, pointing to various gaffes, several hospital visits and visible bruises on his hands.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
