Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has renewed calls for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to provide a verbal update on his health, more than six weeks after the senator was hospitalized following a fall. In a letter dated July 27, Beshear urged McConnell to directly address the people of Kentucky, either to confirm his capacity to serve or to consider resignation.

Beshear noted that it had been 43 days since McConnell’s hospitalization on June 14, and during that time, the senator has neither cast votes nor participated in official Senate activities. Aside from two photos and accompanying statements, McConnell has not communicated publicly with his constituents or the broader American public, Beshear emphasized.

In his letter, Beshear also informed Senate Majority Leader John Thune that if McConnell did not provide an update soon, he hoped Thune would consider investigating the matter further. The governor argued that while privacy is important, public officials accept a degree of transparency when elected to serve, particularly someone holding a Senate seat. “Kentuckians are just asking you to be honest,” Beshear said, highlighting that McConnell’s physician’s recent statement did not clarify whether the senator can speak, reason, or fulfill his senatorial duties.

McConnell, 84, was admitted to the hospital after a fall that caused brief unconsciousness. Since then, his office has reported that he remains in a rehabilitation facility, undergoing intensive physical therapy. In a statement released on July 27, McConnell expressed gratitude for the public’s well wishes and said he looks forward to returning to both the Senate and Kentucky soon.

According to the Office of the Attending Physician, which provides medical care to members of Congress, doctors have been visiting McConnell daily. His rehabilitation includes multiple therapy sessions each day aimed at rebuilding strength and minimizing the risk of future falls. The statement also noted that lifelong effects from the senator’s childhood bout with polio continue to significantly impact his mobility.

McConnell’s prolonged absence has drawn concern and calls for transparency from both sides of the aisle. Last week, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez urged McConnell to either provide a health update or resign. Meanwhile, Beshear pointed to critical legislative activities occurring in McConnell’s absence, including votes on the annual defense policy bill and measures concerning the Iran war. The senator has missed over three dozen roll call votes during this period.

This marks the second time Beshear has publicly sought clarity about McConnell’s condition, having sent an earlier letter on July 8 amid rising constituent concern over the senator’s wellbeing and ability to fulfill his duties. McConnell’s office has yet to provide a detailed medical assessment beyond updates emphasizing his ongoing rehabilitation. Alongside the latest statement, McConnell released a new photo dated July 26, featuring him with his wife, Elaine Chao.