Kentucky governor urges McConnell to 'provide proof' in new letter

Melina Khan, USA TODAYTue, July 28, 2026 at 1:26 PM UTC

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Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has issued a new plea for Sen. Mitch McConnell to give a verbal update on his condition six weeks after he was hospitalized for a fall.

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."

"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," Beshear wrote.

The Democratic governor also said he sent a copy of the letter to Sen. John Thune, R-South Dakota, to ask the Senate Majority Leader to investigate further if McConnell does not issue an update.

Beshear follow up letter to McConnell by melina.khan

It came as McConnell's office released a new photo and briefing on his treatment, revealing that the 84-year-old is still undergoing "intense physical therapy" in a rehabilitation facility.

McConnell was hospitalized on the morning of June 14 after experiencing a fall that left him briefly unconscious, his office said earlier this month.

USA TODAY has contacted McConnell's office for comment on Beshear's letter.

Kentucky Gov. Beshear asks McConnell to 'be honest'

On the latest update from McConnell's physician, Beshear rebuked that it "does not discuss your actual condition, including whether you can speak, reason, or carry out your duties as a senator."

"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. That's the deal, and we all know it when we run," he wrote.

McConnell has faced bipartisan calls for transparency over the lack of information about his condition. Last week, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told reporters McConnell should provide an update on his health or resign.

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Beshear also referenced "important events" happening on Capitol Hill in McConnell's absence. The senator has missed more than three dozen roll call votes in the Senate, including on key measures such as the annual defense policy bill and ending the Iran war.

"Kentuckians are just asking you to be honest," Beshear added.

It's not the governor's first push for transparency amid McConnell's Senate absence. On July 8, Beshear similarly sent a letter to the senator asking for an update as constituents were "increasingly concerned about the current state of your health and wellbeing, and ability to hold office in the United States Senate."

Mitch McConnell update: See latest photo

McConnell's office said in a July 27 update that doctors still have not medically cleared the senator to return to work or leave the rehabilitation facility where he is being treated.

"As always, I appreciate all of your continued well wishes, and I’m looking forward to getting back to the Senate and to Kentucky soon," McConnell said in the update.

The Office of the Attending Physician, which provides medical assistance to members of Congress, also provided a statement in the update, saying doctors are visiting McConnell every day.

The lifelong effects of McConnell's bout with childhood polio continue to be a "significant factor in his mobility," the statement said.

"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," the office said in a statement.

McConnell also released a new photo, dated July 26, of himself alongside his wife, Elaine Chao, as part of the update.

Contributing: Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY

Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. Keep up with her on X @melinakh and Instagram @bymelinakhan.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kentucky governor urges McConnell to 'provide proof' in new letter

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