‘Absolutely nothing’: Andy Beshear presses Mitch McConnell to address his ability to serve

WASHINGTON, DC: Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is escalating demands for answers from Mitch McConnell, saying the Senator has not responded about his ability to continue serving Kentucky as a senator.

McConnell was hospitalized June 14, moved to rehabilitation and then said he would continue recovering at home without giving a return date.

Beshear made the remarks Sunday, August 16, on ‘Face the Nation’ with Margaret Brennan, renewing pressure on the longtime Kentucky Senator.

Beshear presses McConnell for direct answers

Beshear said he has received no response after formally asking McConnell to update Kentuckians on his health and ability to hold office.

“I've heard absolutely nothing back from Mitch McConnell,” Beshear said during the interview.

Beshear’s first letter, sent July 8, said Kentuckians had grown “increasingly concerned about the current state of your health and wellbeing, and ability to hold office in the United States Senate.” 

He asked McConnell to “fully update Kentuckians regarding the current status” of his health.

Later in July, Beshear pushed further, urging McConnell to “directly and verbally” address constituents and provide proof of his ability to continue serving.

On Sunday, Beshear said McConnell needs to do more to assure Kentuckians that he can carry out his role as Senator.

Gov Andy Beshear says McConnell can address voters directly

Beshear said he hopes McConnell is recovering and noted that he has known him for his entire life, but argued that the senator’s obligation is to Kentucky voters.

“I do hope that he is getting better,” Beshear said, before adding that McConnell’s “boss are the people of Kentucky.”

Beshear then criticized the Republican-controlled Senate more broadly, saying, “This is why the Senate, the Republican-controlled Senate, feels so broken, they feel like they're not accountable to anyone.”

He argued that McConnell could provide a brief public update without a formal appearance.

“All he needs to do is call into this show for two minutes, or Fox News for two minutes, or do a video for two minutes to the people he's supposed to serve,” Beshear said. “But you know what? He absolutely refuses to do it.”

Thune also faces Beshear’s criticism

Beshear also directed his criticism at Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who previously served as McConnell’s No 2 during McConnell’s tenure as leader.

Thune has deferred to McConnell and his staff for health updates while expressing hope that McConnell will return to Capitol Hill soon.

Beshear argued that Thune has a responsibility to ensure senators are capable of serving.

“As the leader of the Senate, you've got a duty to make sure all of your senators have the capacity to serve, and what is he saying? Not my job,” Beshear said.

McConnell, 84, was hospitalized after a fall, according to his first statement following the hospitalization. 

He later said he had been discharged from the rehabilitation center and would continue his recovery at home.

That statement did not say when he is expected to return to Capitol Hill.