Ever since former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell became mysteriously absent, the Kentucky senator’s health has prompted much news and talk show host commentary as well as two controversial proof of life photographs.
“McConnell, 84, was hospitalized June 14 after a fall and a brief loss of consciousness,” wrote the Louisville Courier Journal’s Keely Doll on Monday. “Since his absence, both Republicans and Democrats have called for increased transparency around the senator’s health. Gov. Andy Beshear penned an open letter to the senator requesting updates shortly before McConnell’s office addressed the speculation and concerns.”
Doll noted that Trump has not been seen publicly since his June 14 hospitalization and added that, although McConnell described the process as personally frustrating to himself, it has caused compounding frustrations for the United States Senate.
“McConnell’s absence is also putting pressure on GOP leadership,” Doll wrote. “McConnell serves as a key GOP vote on two important committees, Appropriations and Agriculture. Without his vote, the committees are split evenly between Republicans and Democrats, making it impossible to advance legislation without bipartisan support.”
Doll also pointed out that McConnell has missed a number of committee votes and Senate floor votes.
“McConnell missed 38 votes in the Senate in the weeks following his June 14 hospitalization,” Doll wrote. “Out of those, the majority were nominations and confirmations for judges, ambassadorial positions and other civilian nominees. About a dozen of the votes were legislative, including a bipartisan affordable housing bill.”
The journalist added, “But the real debate putting pressure on McConnell’s absence in Congress is the resolutions over presidential war powers and the U.S. military involvement in Iran.”
Doll concluded, “With McConnell’s return timeline to Congress uncertain and the growing concerns about the war in Iran, even GOP leaders have admitted that the numbers game is getting tighter. During McConnell’s absence, several different resolutions on war powers have come to the floor with razor-thin margins.”
Despite the ongoing concerns about McConnell’s fitness to serve, his office continues to insist that he is on the job.
“The Senator continues to meet with staff regarding Senate and Kentucky business, including discussions on defense appropriations, foreign policy, the farm bill, constituent services and constituent federal grant requests,” spokesman David Popp told The Washington Post in a recent statement. “As the senator continues to improve in rehab, we will be sure to keep you updated.”