Sen. Josh Hawley urges Mitch McConnell to update constituents amid prolonged absence
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Sen. Josh Hawley said Senator Mitch McConnell should inform the public about his health after the Kentucky Republican has been out of Congress for more than a month following a hospitalization.
Sen. Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, told Fox News Digital that Senator Mitch McConnell should communicate his condition to constituents after being absent from Senate duties for over a month. Hawley said the 84-year-old former Senate majority leader’s prolonged silence leaves the public “in the dark” about his health status.
McConnell, who has served seven Senate terms for Kentucky, issued a statement on July 12 confirming he was hospitalized after a fall that caused brief unconsciousness and a bout of mild pneumonia. He later said he was transferred to a rehabilitation center, and the statement included a photo of him with his wife, Elaine Chao.
“At a certain point you do have an obligation to your constituents and the country to tell them what’s going on,” Hawley said.
Hawley also referenced the Senate’s narrow Republican majority of 53-47, noting that leadership often cites a lack of votes for certain measures. He added that he has “nothing against colleagues who are older,” citing Sen. Chuck Grassley, but expressed support for a constitutional amendment imposing term limits.
“I think there needs to be term limits. People just come here and stay forever. It’s not what the founders intended,” Hawley said.