(WKYT) – Sen. Mitch McConnell, along with the Office of the Attending Physician, released an update on McConnell’s condition and ability to fulfill his duties.
The OAP says, “OAP physicians visit with the Senator every day, discussing all aspects of his rehabilitation care. Since his discharge from hospital care, he has maintained a strenuous course of physical therapy and rehabilitation, including multiple sessions a day designed to rebuild strength and reduce the risk of future falls.
“He is not yet medically cleared to leave the rehab facility and return to the office,” the OAP says.
“I’m still working hard to get back to my full schedule of work in the Senate and in Kentucky, keeping up with intense physical therapy per my doctors’ orders.” McConnell says, ”Unfortunately, that means I won’t be able to make it to Fancy Farm, Kentucky this Saturday.”
The Fancy Farm picnic is an annual event where Kentucky politicians campaign to large crowds.
McConnell went on to say, “There’s no place I’d rather be on the first Saturday in August than with the good people of western Kentucky, feasting on pork and mutton.”
The update included the above photo of McConnell and his wife, Elaine Chao.
Beshear demands transparency
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear sent a letter Monday to both the senator and his staff, and the office of Senate Majority Leader John Thune demanding McConnell be transparent about his health.
Beshear says in the letter that it has been 43 days since McConnell’s hospitilization and since then he has cast no votes, engaged in no official activities, and aside from two photos and statements, has not provided any proof he can carry out his duty as senator.
READ THE LETTERS BELOW
The governor acknowledges that he understands the senator’s wish for privacy but argued that serving as a U.S. senator abdicates much of that privacy.
Beshear says that the war with Iran, rising prices and voting rights controversies have occurred during McConnell’s absence.
So, Beshear calls on McConnell to directly and verbally address the people of Kentucky and provide proof of his capacity to serve or resign.
If McConnell will not provide such proof, Beshear says that he will ask Thune to investigate McConnell’s condition and begin the process of expelling him for the Senate if need be.