As Sen. Mitch McConnell remains in the hospital more than three weeks after he was admitted, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is requesting he share an update on his health.Beshear shared in a post to social media that he sent a letter McConnell’s office, “requesting an update on his health and well-being amid growing concerns around the Senator’s ability to serve.”“Over the last several weeks, Kentuckians have grown increasingly concerned about the health and well-being of Sen. McConnell. As Governor – and a fellow public official who understands the commitment we’ve made to the people we serve – I am requesting the Senator provide an update on his current health status,” Beshear said. “Allowing speculation to continue in the media is not fair to the Senator or to Kentuckians, and my hope is that this provides him the opportunity to share the information in a transparent manner, direct from the source. I wish him a safe and speedy recovery.” Senators say they’ve spoken with McConnell by phone as the Kentucky Republican continues recovering in the hospital, more than three weeks after he was admitted.A spokesperson for McConnell says he continues to recover, saying he appreciates the outpouring of support he’s receiving while he continues his recovery in the hospital. “The Senator continues to improve, and is working closely with his staff on Kentucky and Senate matters while the Senate is out of session,” the statement reads.Several of McConnell’s colleagues say they have spoken to him over the phone as he continues to recover.”I spoke to my old friend Mitch McConnell this morning, the senior Senator from Kentucky. He’s still recovering in the hospital. We talked for just shy of 20 minutes … about IRAN, UKRAINE, the unfolding situation in MAINE, my visit to the TR Presidential Library, and even a little bit of Senate history. I told him we want to see him back at work as soon as possible,” Scott Jennings, a political commentator best known for his contributions on CNN, said in a post.Senate Leader John Thune also spoke with McConnell Monday by phone, per his spokesperson.”They had a lengthy and substantive conversation that covered a variety of topics, including national security,” the spokesperson said.Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso also spoke to McConnell by phone Tuesday, according to a spokesperson. The spokesperson said they talked about a multitude of topics including the situation in Maine, and the recent Supreme Court ruling on coordinated spending limits.“Senator Barrasso and Senator McConnell had a lengthy conversation early this afternoon. Their phone call lasted roughly 20 minutes. They caught up about the latest news impacting Senate races, the Graham Platner scandal, and the recent Supreme Court ruling on coordinated spending limits. They also discussed the Senate’s July work period, including the need to pass the NDAA and confirm President Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence. Senator McConnell was fully engaged and is eager to get back to the Senate.”At the same time, McConnell’s wife, Elaine Chao, who previously served as labor and transportation secretary, visited China days after the senator was admitted to the hospital.The Chinese Embassy said Chao met with China’s vice president in Beijing on June 17 but did not provide further details.”The secretary was on a long-planned trip in China to support her family’s philanthropic endeavors. During the trip, she met with a number of people, including the US ambassador. The Senator’s health did not warrant an immediate return to the US,” a spokesperson for Chao said.McConnell was admitted to the hospital three weeks ago with dispatch audio via OpenMHZ from that day detailing paramedics responding to a home that property records show he and his wife own for a report of “cardiac arrest.”McConnell had a series of medical episodes in recent years, including injuries from falls, and briefly freezing up while speaking at events, including a forum in northern Kentucky in 2023 that WLWT attended.He spent more than a week in the hospital back in February for flu-like symptoms.McConnell battled polio as a child, stating it has had an impact on his mobility as an adult.Last year, McConnell announced his plans to retire from the Senate when his term ends in 2027. He stepped down from his leadership position in the Senate after the elections of November 2024.Ahead of his retirement, McConnell has remained active in the Senate and beyond, attending hearings and events throughout the Commonwealth.
As Sen. Mitch McConnell remains in the hospital more than three weeks after he was admitted, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is requesting he share an update on his health.
Beshear shared in a post to social media that he sent a letter McConnell’s office, “requesting an update on his health and well-being amid growing concerns around the Senator’s ability to serve.”
“Over the last several weeks, Kentuckians have grown increasingly concerned about the health and well-being of Sen. McConnell. As Governor – and a fellow public official who understands the commitment we’ve made to the people we serve – I am requesting the Senator provide an update on his current health status,” Beshear said. “Allowing speculation to continue in the media is not fair to the Senator or to Kentuckians, and my hope is that this provides him the opportunity to share the information in a transparent manner, direct from the source. I wish him a safe and speedy recovery.”
Senators say they’ve spoken with McConnell by phone as the Kentucky Republican continues recovering in the hospital, more than three weeks after he was admitted.
A spokesperson for McConnell says he continues to recover, saying he appreciates the outpouring of support he’s receiving while he continues his recovery in the hospital.
“The Senator continues to improve, and is working closely with his staff on Kentucky and Senate matters while the Senate is out of session,” the statement reads.
Several of McConnell’s colleagues say they have spoken to him over the phone as he continues to recover.
“I spoke to my old friend Mitch McConnell this morning, the senior Senator from Kentucky. He’s still recovering in the hospital. We talked for just shy of 20 minutes … about IRAN, UKRAINE, the unfolding situation in MAINE, my visit to the TR Presidential Library, and even a little bit of Senate history. I told him we want to see him back at work as soon as possible,” Scott Jennings, a political commentator best known for his contributions on CNN, said in a post.
Senate Leader John Thune also spoke with McConnell Monday by phone, per his spokesperson.
“They had a lengthy and substantive conversation that covered a variety of topics, including national security,” the spokesperson said.
Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso also spoke to McConnell by phone Tuesday, according to a spokesperson. The spokesperson said they talked about a multitude of topics including the situation in Maine, and the recent Supreme Court ruling on coordinated spending limits.
“Senator Barrasso and Senator McConnell had a lengthy conversation early this afternoon. Their phone call lasted roughly 20 minutes. They caught up about the latest news impacting Senate races, the Graham Platner scandal, and the recent Supreme Court ruling on coordinated spending limits. They also discussed the Senate’s July work period, including the need to pass the NDAA and confirm President Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence. Senator McConnell was fully engaged and is eager to get back to the Senate.”
At the same time, McConnell’s wife, Elaine Chao, who previously served as labor and transportation secretary, visited China days after the senator was admitted to the hospital.
The Chinese Embassy said Chao met with China’s vice president in Beijing on June 17 but did not provide further details.
“The secretary was on a long-planned trip in China to support her family’s philanthropic endeavors. During the trip, she met with a number of people, including the US ambassador. The Senator’s health did not warrant an immediate return to the US,” a spokesperson for Chao said.
McConnell was admitted to the hospital three weeks ago with dispatch audio via OpenMHZ from that day detailing paramedics responding to a home that property records show he and his wife own for a report of “cardiac arrest.”
McConnell had a series of medical episodes in recent years, including injuries from falls, and briefly freezing up while speaking at events, including a forum in northern Kentucky in 2023 that WLWT attended.
He spent more than a week in the hospital back in February for flu-like symptoms.
McConnell battled polio as a child, stating it has had an impact on his mobility as an adult.
Last year, McConnell announced his plans to retire from the Senate when his term ends in 2027. He stepped down from his leadership position in the Senate after the elections of November 2024.
Ahead of his retirement, McConnell has remained active in the Senate and beyond, attending hearings and events throughout the Commonwealth.