Governor Andy Beshear has sent a letter to the office of U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell requesting an update on his health status 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 Senator McConnell,” Beshear said in the letter sent Wednesday.
“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. 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.”
The request for information comes after Senator McConnell was admitted to the hospital on June 14 following a medical emergency at his home. Since then, limited information has been shared from the senator’s office.
The governor’s office said Beshear reached out directly to McConnell’s office because of increasing speculation about the senator’s health.
On Tuesday, McConnell’s office issued a news release pointing to social media posts from individuals who had recent conversations with the 83-year-old former Senate Majority Leader, including CNN political analyst and McConnell ally Scott Jennings.
“I spoke to my old friend Mitch McConnell this morning, the senior Senator from Kentucky,” Jennings posted on “X.” 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.”
The release also repeated a statement from Tuesday that, “Senator McConnell 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.”
Elaine Chao, McConnell's wife, said later Tuesday after returning to the U.S. from China in a statement that her ailing husband's health "did not warrant an immediate return."
"The secretary was on a long-planned trip in China to support her family's philanthropic endeavors," a statement attributed to a spokesperson said. "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 U.S."
