- Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is giving Sen. Mitch McConnell an ultimatum, demanding that he prove he’s still capable of serving in the U.S. Senate — or resign.
- Beshear wrote in a letter to McConnell, “As Governor of the state you serve, I am calling on you to directly and verbally address the people of Kentucky and provide proof of your capacity to serve, or resign.”
- Beshear stated that if McConnell does not comply, he will call on Senate Majority Leader John Thune to “investigate” McConnell’s condition and “begin the process if warranted” of replacing him in the Senate.
- Beshear expressed concern that even the attending physician’s written statement does not discuss McConnell’s actual condition, including whether he can speak, reason, or carry out his duties as a senator.
- Beshear stated, “I hope everything’s OK, that he’s competent to serve, but asking someone to prove that to their constituents isn’t a big or a heavy lift.”
- Beshear urged McConnell to release more information about his condition after weeks of public silence.
- Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is pressing for more transparency regarding Sen. Mitch McConnell's health.
- Beshear sent a letter to McConnell stating, 'I am addressing this letter to Senator McConnell under the assumption that he is capable of reading and responding verbally, and not incapacitated by means of consciousness or cognition.'
- The governor called on McConnell to verbally address the people of Kentucky or provide proof of his capacity to serve or resign.
- This is the third letter from Beshear to McConnell, asking for more transparency on his health.
- Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear stated that constituents are asking for transparency and honesty regarding the health of Sen. Mitch McConnell.
- Beshear noted that there has been rampant speculation about McConnell's health, which could be avoided if he provided information.
- Beshear emphasized that if McConnell does not provide more evidence about his health, the Senate needs to step in and demand it.
- Speculation about McConnell’s condition has grown online due to the absence of regular public updates.
- Beshear stated that All of this speculation and even this letter could have been avoided with a minimal amount of transparency.
- In a July 27 letter to McConnell, Beshear called on the Kentucky Republican to "directly and verbally address the people of Kentucky and provide proof of your capacity to serve, or resign."
- Beshear emphasized that privacy is relinquished when serving as a U.S. senator, stating, "I understand anyone's desire for privacy, but when you run for office and serve as one of a state's two U.S. senators, you willingly abdicate much of your personal privacy."
- Beshear stated, "Kentuckians are just asking you to be honest," regarding McConnell's health updates.
- On July 8, Beshear wrote to McConnell asking for an update due to constituents being "increasingly concerned about the current state of your health and wellbeing, and ability to hold office in the United States Senate."
- McConnell's office reported that doctors still have not medically cleared the senator to return to work or leave the rehabilitation facility.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has escalated his demands for transparency from Senator Mitch McConnell, who has been absent from public view since his hospitalization on June 14.6
Beshear's letter states, "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."
The governor's ultimatum urges McConnell to either "directly and verbally address the people of Kentucky and provide proof of your capacity to serve, or resign."16
Beshear, a rising figure in the Democratic Party, expressed concern over the lack of communication, stating, “We have seen rampant speculation across social media and elsewhere, it could all be fully avoided, and it's all within Senator McConnell's power.”
He also indicated that if McConnell does not respond, he will call on Senate Majority Leader John Thune to investigate the senator's condition.3
McConnell's office has confirmed that the 84-year-old senator has not yet been medically cleared to leave the rehabilitation facility where he is undergoing physical therapy.
Beshear's demand for transparency comes amid growing public concern about McConnell's health and ability to fulfill his duties, with the governor emphasizing that “Kentuckians are just asking you to be honest.”
“Beshear expressed that constituents are increasingly concerned about McConnell's health, urging him to provide proof of his capacity to serve. He emphasized that rampant speculation could be avoided with transparency, stating, 'All of this speculation and even this letter could have been avoided with a minimal amount of transparency.'”
AP News
Chicago Tribune
