Sen. Mitch McConnell says he has been discharged from rehab center
Sen. Mitch McConnell said he was discharged from rehab after 53 days and will continue recovery at home while staying engaged in Senate business.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he has “heard absolutely nothing back from” Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, after he requested updates on the lawmaker’s health amid his extended absence from Congress.
Beshear said he hoped McConnell’s health would improve during an Aug. 16 interview with “Face the Nation,” but he called for a response from the former Senate majority leader.
“I wish him no harm,” Beshear said. “All he needs to do is call into this show for two minutes, or Fox News for two minutes, or do a video for two minutes to the people he’s supposed to serve, but you know what? He absolutely refuses to do so.”
The Kentucky governor continued, speaking directly to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, asking him to ensure all of his senators can actually serve in the chamber.
“As the leader of the Senate, you’ve got a duty to make sure all of your senators have the capacity to serve,” Beshear said. “And what is he saying? ‘Not my job.’ That’s not surprising.”
Thune and McConnell’s offices did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment.
An ongoing absence
McConnell has not appeared in the Senate since being hospitalized in June after a fall and a pneumonia diagnosis.
He last voted on June 11 and, according to GovTrack.US, he has since missed 60 roll call votes, in addition to votes on the annual defense policy bill, legislation related to Iran and confirmation proceedings for several high-profile Trump administration nominees.
Beshear has continued to pressure McConnell to provide a verbal update on his condition. In a July 27 letter to McConnell, Beshear called on the senator to “directly and verbally address the people of Kentucky and provide proof of your capacity to serve, or resign.”
“It has now been 43 days since news of your hospitalization. During that time you have cast zero votes, engaged in no official activities, and aside from two photos and corresponding statements, have made no effort to communicate with your Kentucky constituents or the nation,” Beshear wrote.
McConnell announced on Aug. 6 that he had been discharged from a rehabilitation center, and he plans to continue his recovery at home.
“Elaine and I are grateful for the many well wishes and support from friends, colleagues, and Kentuckians, and for the attentive care I’ve received from excellent doctors, nurses, therapists, and hospital staff,” McConnell said in a statement issued by his Senate office.
It is unclear when McConnell will return to Washington, but he said he will “continue to engage with (his) staff and colleagues on important Senate business” while he recovers from home.
How would Kentucky fill a vacant Senate seat?
Under Kentucky law, a vacancy in the U.S. Senate is filled through a special election called by the governor. The winner would serve the remainder of the senator’s term, while the seat would remain vacant until election results are certified.
The timing of that election has become a central point of debate. Kentucky’s law requires the governor to issue a proclamation calling the election; however, legal experts told CNBC the statute does not set a firm deadline for when that proclamation must be issued. Once it is, counties and candidates must meet a series of filing deadlines before voters can head to the polls.
McConnell has not indicated he will leave his seat. Additionally, Beshear has suggested the state’s 2024 special-election-only law could conflict with the Kentucky Constitution. He has pointed to Section 152, which says statewide vacancies are filled by gubernatorial appointment, raising questions about whether a Senate vacancy could ultimately trigger a legal challenge.
USA TODAY’s Melina Khan contributed to this report.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.