RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. Senator Mitch McConnell has not voted on the Senate floor since being hospitalized in June, though he continues to cosponsor legislation remotely, including a resolution honoring the late Senator Lindsey Graham.
McConnell, 84, one of the oldest members of the chamber, has faced health scrutiny for years. That spotlight intensified after he disclosed that a fall at his Washington home left him briefly unconscious. Lawmakers from both parties have raised concerns about the impact of his absence on the Senate, given the Republicans' narrow majority. McConnell’s office maintains that the Kentucky Republican continues to work remotely with his staff.
In an updated photo released Monday, McConnell, seen with his wife, former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, stated he has not yet been medically cleared to return to Capitol Hill, though his rehabilitation is ongoing. He noted that the lingering effects of a childhood bout with polio continue to present a hurdle in his mobility recovery.
GOP Senator Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia said an individual who visited McConnell in rehabilitation described him as "clear-minded" and recovering, though still working to regain physical strength. Republican strategist Scott Jennings has said the senator remains engaged with staff and policy discussions, while supporters say he's focused on recovery and intends to return when medically able.
Still, the lack of public appearances has fueled questions from lawmakers, journalists, and constituents. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, both Democrats, are among those calling for greater transparency regarding McConnell’s condition and expected return.
Beshear's office told Newsweek on Friday that the governor has called for McConnell to demonstrate publicly that he is "fit to serve in office."
"But the senator hasn't responded to his requests, nor to our knowledge, has he responded to GOP senators asking him for an update," the governor's office said.
While recovering, McConnell has put his name to several legislative items remotely, according to records reviewed by Newsweek:
Newsweek reached out to McConnell and Darline Graham for comment via email but did not receive a response in time for publication.
Since his hospitalization, the Senate has voted on a range of initiatives, including appropriations measures, judicial nominations, foreign policy matters and procedural votes. McConnell has missed votes connected to Iran-related legislation, confirmation proceedings, housing measures and funding bills.
Among the bills that McConnell's missed votes for are:
While a single absence does not automatically determine the outcome of legislation, McConnell's missing vote carries added significance due to the Republicans' narrow Senate majority. In closely divided votes, his absence narrows the margin available to GOP leadership and complicates legislative strategy.
One of the highest-profile Republican priorities facing uncertainty is legislation related to election administration, including the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act .
Supporters of the measure argue it would strengthen election integrity requirements, while opponents contend it could create new hurdles for eligible voters. The legislation has become a central Republican priority and has featured prominently in debate among Senate Republicans and allies of President Donald Trump.
McConnell's absence has become part of that conversation because the Senate's narrow partisan split means every Republican vote potentially matters in high-stakes legislative battles. Trump recently referenced McConnell's opposition to changing Senate filibuster rules while discussing the broader debate surrounding election legislation.
Beyond the SAVE Act, Senate leadership continues to face challenges advancing spending bills, foreign policy measures and other priorities that require either broad Republican unity or bipartisan support.
Some lawmakers have argued that McConnell's extended absence highlights broader questions about how Congress handles members who are unable to serve for lengthy periods because of illness or injury. GOP Representative Tim Burchett of Tennessee and others have suggested Congress may eventually need a more formal mechanism for addressing extended "incapacitation" among lawmakers.
Contact Newsweek editors for this story: Kate Nalepinski and Anthony Murray .
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