All articles tagged with #mcconnell
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear says he’s heard absolutely nothing back from Sen. Mitch McConnell after requesting a health update last month; McConnell has been hospitalized since June after a fall and moved to rehab, and Beshear urged him to address Kentuckians about his ability to serve, criticizing Senate accountability as broken.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear pressed Sen. Mitch McConnell to publicly prove he can continue serving or resign after his office said he remains medically unable to return to work; Beshear suggested releasing a brief video or making a media appearance, warning that McConnell's absence could shrink the GOP's Senate majority and trigger questions about Kentucky's vacancy rules. The state’s 2024 law bars Beshear from appointing a temporary senator and could lead to a special election, with Sept. 1 as the practical deadline for an Nov. 3 vote; McConnell has been hospitalized since a June fall and has released limited updates on his condition.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear bluntly urges Sen. Mitch McConnell to publicly address his health and ability to serve, or resign, following McConnell’s long absence and hospital stay. Beshear sent a new letter demanding transparency and even copies to Senate leaders Thune and others as he questions whether McConnell can continue to fulfill his duties; the piece also covers Kentucky’s vacancy rules and constitutional questions about how a replacement would be filled. McConnell says he’s in rehab and not yet medically cleared to return.
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell remains in a rehabilitation facility and has not yet been medically cleared to leave after a June fall that led to hospitalization. Officials say he’s engaged in a strenuous, multi‑session physical-therapy program to rebuild strength and reduce future fall risk, with mobility still affected by childhood polio; he will miss this weekend’s Fancy Farm picnic and is not yet able to return to his Senate duties.
Sen. Shelley Capito offered a fresh update on Mitch McConnell’s health when pressed by a reporter, but she provided no definitive details, highlighting ongoing questions about why the 84-year-old Senate leader has stayed out of public view.
Sen. Josh Hawley criticized Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell for not providing clear updates about his health after a hospitalization and an absence of more than a month, telling Fox News he’s ‘totally in the dark’ about McConnell’s condition amid a slim GOP majority and urging accountability to constituents. Hawley also used the moment to discuss term limits, praising Sen. Grassley’s continued sharpness while supporting a constitutional amendment.
Sen. Josh Hawley rebuked Senate GOP leadership for not transparently sharing Sen. Mitch McConnell’s health status during his prolonged absence, saying leaders must inform constituents even as McConnell’s absence narrows GOP votes and delays priorities like voter ID legislation and the SAVE America Act.
Sen. Tommy Tuberville pressed for more information on Sen. Mitch McConnell’s health and a return timeline as McConnell has been absent from the Senate since mid-June. With votes on President Trump’s agenda looming before the August recess, Republicans want McConnell back, while Sen. John Kennedy defended McConnell against rumors of severe illness. McConnell, who posted that he will return when doctors allow, said he remains focused on finishing his term, as colleagues await a clearer timeline.
Senate Republicans face a risk of stalling the long-awaited farm bill as Mitch McConnell’s hospitalization leaves them short of votes for a party-line markup, with Boozman aiming to mark up before the August recess while Democrats demand a SNAP cost-share delay and seek farm aid totaling about $20 billion via reconciliation; the updates also note Darline Graham’s swearing-in to Lindsey Graham’s seat and ongoing floor battles over immigration, defense, and budget reconciliation in both chambers.
Democrats and several Republicans are urging full disclosure about Sen. Mitch McConnell's health after his June hospitalization. At 84, the long-serving Senate leader has a documented health history, yet his office has not disclosed the reason for admission, prompting calls from Rep. Nancy Mace and Rep. Marlin Stutzman for transparency and a public update, echoed by Kentucky Gov. Beshear as aging and health in Congress remain a topic of debate.
Top Republican senators on the Senate Appropriations Committee say the proposed $350 billion reconciliation bill to reach a $1.5 trillion defense budget is unlikely to pass, arguing there will be no further reconciliation bills. The Pentagon structured its request to fund about $1.15 trillion through regular appropriations with the remainder via reconciliation. While House Republicans back the plan, Senate critics warn it would create instability by relying on a one-time infusion instead of base funding; the Air Force seeks $16 billion in reconciliation for F-35s and missiles, and without it, prioritization would occur within existing funds.
Voters in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Alabama, Oregon and Idaho head to the polls for a pivotal primaries day that tests Donald Trump’s influence over the GOP and helps map Democrats’ path to Congress; Kentucky features Rep. Thomas Massie’s race fueled by Trump’s backing of Ed Gallrein and a contest to replace retiring Mitch McConnell, while other states host high-stakes races for congressional seats, governors and other statewide offices that could influence the November elections.
In Kentucky’s GOP Senate primary to replace Mitch McConnell, three candidates distance themselves from the longtime leader and court Trump’s base: Daniel Cameron emphasizes independence from McConnell, while Morris attacks McConnell and leans toward Trump allies, and Barr ties his campaign to Trump. The competition reflects a broader shift in Kentucky politics as donors divide and voters express frustration with McConnell, signaling a potential realignment of the state’s Senate power dynamic.
Senators agreed to remove language from the agriculture funding bill that would close a hemp regulatory loophole, following a dispute between Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul, with the removal aimed at avoiding industry disruption and ensuring the bill's passage before the August recess.
Senator Mitch McConnell praised Trump for resuming military aid to Ukraine and criticized isolationist factions, emphasizing the importance of U.S. credibility and military funding amid ongoing conflicts and policy debates.