WASHINGTON — Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who is set to retire in January, was hospitalized on June 14.
It wasn’t until after nearly a month of speculation and demands for information that McConnell, 84, issued a statement that he fell, was briefly unconscious and developed a mild case of pneumonia.
“I’m continuing to do everything they ask to speed my recovery,” McConnell said in the July 12 statement. “In fact, with signs of continued progress, I’ve been able to move from hospital care to a rehabilitation center where I’ll keep regaining my strength.”
That update, released more than a week ago, has not quieted calls by Democrats for McConnell to share more about his condition or when he will be back in the Senate.
“Any job in America, you got to tell your boss why you’re not at work, when you’re coming back and where you are,” said Rep. Morgan McGarvey, D-Louisville, on July 17. “That is the bare minimum we should expect from anybody at any office place. We absolutely deserve that from our elected representatives.”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., told Spectrum News Thursday, “If he can’t give us an update, he should resign. Absolutely.”
“I think it’s been very clear to people across Kentucky that his update was not sufficient,” she said. “I don’t know if he has a conversation with a journalist. I don’t know if he has a conversation with the governor. I don’t know what his staff are doing, but we have a responsibility to the American people.”
Two years ago, after President Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential race, Republicans declared him unfit to serve and said he should resign.
Spectrum News asked Republicans Thursday whether McConnell should now step down.
“First of all, Biden was senile and was openly senile, didn’t know where he was,” said Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C. “He was the leader of the free world. Mitch McConnell is one of 99 others. Now, I don’t know where he is. I don’t know if he’s alive, but the public is beginning to wonder.”
Asked if McConnell should provide another update or a video message, Norman replied, “I think it would help if Americans saw is he alive, is he well, what’s his message? I think it’s genuine concern about his health.”
Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., told Spectrum News, “He’s in rehab right now. We’re hopeful that he can get back soon, and I wish only the best for him and want him to get back as soon as possible.”
Spectrum News asked McConnell’s office what he is working on as part of his rehabilitation and when he is expected back in the Senate.
His office said in a statement, “The Senator continues to improve and we will be sure to keep you updated,” and referred to McConnell’s previous July 12 statement.
