Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear wrote in a Monday letter to Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell and his staff that the senator should “provide proof of your capacity to serve, or resign.”
The letter from the governor came after McConnell’s office shareda Monday statementfrom the senator and another photo of him with his wife, former Secretary of Labor and Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao. McConnell, 84, washospitalized in June, but has since moved to arehabilitation centerfor treatment. He has not been voting in the U.S. Senate throughout this time.
Speculation about the senator’s health and vitality has run rampant online.
Beshear’s letter, which was obtained by the Kentucky Lantern, was addressed to McConnell “under the assumption that he is capable of reading and responding verbally, and not incapacitated by means of consciousness or cognition.” The governor also noted the country is facing challenges amid McConnell’s absence.
“President Trump is stuck in a war of his own making and has greatly strengthened the very country he claims is a threat. Prices continue to rise, crushing Americans who are working hard but not getting ahead. Americans’ voting rights are being eliminated by the Supreme Court and threatened by congressional action,” Beshear wrote. “All while you are absent and refuse to communicate clearly and directly to the people you serve.”
Beshear called on McConnell to “directly and verbally address the people of Kentucky and provide proof of your capacity to serve or resign.”
The governor sent a similar letter to Republican Leader Sen. John Thune, of South Dakota. Beshear said his office’s research found a vacancy in the U.S. Senate occurs “when a senator dies, resigns, or is expelled by a vote of the Senate itself.”
“If Senator McConnell is unwilling to voluntarily show that he still has the capacity to serve, I will insist that you as the Majority Leader of the Senate fully investigate his condition, report to the American people, and begin the process if warranted,” Beshear wrote to Thune.
Beshear hasfaced many calls nationallyto declare McConnell’s seat vacant. However, legal experts have previously told the Lantern Beshear has no authority to take any action on McConnell’s seat until the senator has resigned or died.
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