Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is demanding that Sen. Mitch McConnell publicly prove he can still serve in the U.S. Senate or resign, after the 84-year-old Republican has remained absent for 43 days following a June 14 hospitalization. In letters sent Monday to McConnell and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Beshear called on the senator to “directly and verbally address the people of Kentucky and provide proof of your capacity to serve, or resign,” according to NBC News and Kentucky.com.
McConnell has not been seen in public since his hospitalization and has cast zero votes since June 11, while his office released only two photos and written statements offering minimal health details. “Even the attending physician’s written statement does not discuss your actual condition, including whether you can speak, reason, or carry out your duties as a senator,” Beshear wrote, as reported by NBC News and Kentucky.com.
McConnell’s office said in a July 12 statement that he suffered a fall and later developed pneumonia. As of July 27, he remained in a rehabilitation facility undergoing physical therapy and has not been medically cleared to return to work, according to NBC News and Fox News. His childhood case of polio continues to limit his mobility, his doctors noted.
Beshear, a Democrat, has faced pressure from constituents demanding action on McConnell’s extended absence. In his letter, the governor outlined the constitutional and legal mechanisms available: a senator can be removed through death, resignation, or expulsion by a two-thirds Senate vote, according to Kentucky.com. No senator has been expelled since 1862, according to NPR and CNN reporting on Senate expulsion history.
If McConnell were to resign, Kentucky law would require a special election to fill the vacancy rather than allowing Beshear to appoint a replacement, NBC News reported. McConnell has already announced his intention to retire at the end of his current term, which expires in January 2027.
Impact on Senate Business
McConnell’s absence is creating practical complications for Senate operations. With McConnell absent, the number of Republicans available to vote shrinks from 53 to 52 in the 100-seat chamber, according to Al Jazeera. His absence has stalled work on the farm bill, government funding, and defense spending legislation, as reported by the Washington Post, Politico, and Time. McConnell chairs the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, making his vote crucial to passing budget bills.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune deflected Beshear’s request for an investigation, telling NBC News on Tuesday that the issue “should be resolved” between McConnell and Kentucky voters. “I’m not sure what his prerogatives are in that case,” Thune said of the governor’s options.
Beshear told reporters that McConnell could end the speculation by simply addressing Kentuckians. “I hope everything’s okay, that he’s competent to serve, but asking someone to prove that to their constituents isn’t a big or a heavy lift,” he said, as reported by NBC News. “It’s not being invasive. You’re one of two U.S. senators that are supposed to represent Kentucky in Washington. Just talk to the people.”
Sources
- NBC News — Beshear’s demand for McConnell to prove fitness or resign, McConnell’s 43-day absence and zero votes, physician statement details, Thune’s response
- Kentucky.com — Full text of Beshear’s letter, McConnell’s hospitalization timeline, expulsion and vacancy procedures, Beshear’s public comments
- Washington Post — McConnell’s absence impact on Senate Appropriations Committee and budget bills
- Politico — Farm bill roadblock created by McConnell’s absence
- Time — Combined impact of Graham’s death and McConnell’s absence on Senate GOP agenda
- Al Jazeera — Republican voting numbers reduced by McConnell’s absence
- Fox News — McConnell’s medical clearance status and polio history
- NPR — Senate expulsion history; last expulsion in 1862
- CNN — Senate expulsion precedent and requirements
