Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is requesting Sen. Mitch McConnell to provide an update on his health as the 84-year-old senator remains hospitalized for a fourth week.
In a letter sent to McConnell on Wednesday, the Democratic governor pressed the senator to “fully update” Kentuckians on the status of his health, noting state residents have “grown increasingly concerned” about his wellbeing. The letter comes nearly a month after McConnell was initially hospitalized, although details about his condition and status have not been released.
“Over the last several weeks, Kentuckians have grown increasingly concerned about the current state of your health and wellbeing, and ability to hold office in the United States Senate,” Beshear wrote. “As public officeholders, we have made a commitment to our constituents to do our best to represent them and to always be transparent. I believe this requires clear communication about one’s ability to serve.”
The Deseret News contacted McConnell’s office to confirm whether it had received the letter or planned to speak with the governor.
While spokespeople for the seven-term senator have provided periodic updates about McConnell’s health, there have been no details about why he was hospitalized or what condition he is in. McConnell was admitted to the hospital on June 14.
McConnell’s wife breaks silence
McConnell’s wife, Elaine Chao, broke her silence on the situation on Wednesday after questions about her international travel while her husband was hospitalized.
Chao left for a “long-planned trip” to China just two days before McConnell was admitted to the hospital. She has since returned.
Chao met with Chinese leaders and the U.S. ambassador, noting the trip was meant “to support her family’s philanthropic endeavors.”
“The Senator’s health did not warrant an immediate return to the US,” a spokesperson for Chao said in a statement.
Republican leaders say they spoke to McConnell
Rumors have begun to swirl online that McConnell could be in worse condition than what is being shared publicly, particularly after some news outlets reported on an emergency call to D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services that a person at the senator’s address was found unconscious on the day he was hospitalized. The audio reveals that person had gone into cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated.
Top Republicans in the Senate have sought to tamp down concerns, revealing this week they had spoken with McConnell on the phone and that he is recovering well. Both Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Majority Whip John Barrasso said they spoke with McConnell this week on a range of issues.
“Leader Thune spoke with Sen. McConnell yesterday by phone,” a spokesperson for Thune said on Tuesday. “They had a lengthy and substantive conversation that covered a variety of topics, including national security.”
But other Republicans such as Utah Sen. Mike Lee say they have not received any updates on McConnell’s health.
“Many of us aren’t speaking about Mitch McConnell’s condition because we know nothing about his condition,” Lee said in a post on X.
Lee later responded to reports that Thune and Barrasso had spoken with the Kentucky senator, calling it “good news” and that he was praying for his “full and speedy recovery.”