Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) speaks during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on June 25, 2025. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear sent a letter to the office of U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on July 8 requesting a health update, saying there are growing concerns over the lawmaker’s “ability to hold office.”

“Over the last several weeks, Kentuckians have grown increasingly concerned about the health and well-being of Sen. McConnell,” Beshear wrote in a press release.

“As governor—and a fellow public official who understands the commitment we’ve made to the people we serve—I am requesting the senator provide an update on his current health status.”

Kentucky’s longest-serving senator was admitted to the hospital on June 14, but his office did not disclose the reason why.

McConnell’s office remained tight-lipped about his hospitalization, and shared a statement on July 2 saying McConnell “appreciates the outpouring of support he’s receiving while he continues his recovery in the hospital.”

Beshear noted that his office has seen an increase in inquiries about McConnell’s health and urged the senator to provide “clear communication” about what’s going on.

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“Allowing speculation to continue in the media is not fair to the senator or to Kentuckians, and my hope is that this provides him the opportunity to share the information in a transparent manner, direct from the source,” Beshear added.

Beshear ended his statement wishing McConnell a “safe and speedy recovery.”

The request comes after Republicans shared on July 7 that they spoke to the former Senate Majority Leader.

A spokesperson for Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) confirmed to The Epoch Times on Tuesday that the two senators “had a lengthy conversation” in a phone call that lasted around 20 minutes.

Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) (L) and Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) (R) during the weekly Senate press conference in the U.S. Capitol building in Washington on July 9, 2024. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

“They caught up about the latest news impacting Senate races, the Graham Platner scandal, and the recent Supreme Court ruling on coordinated spending limits,” the spokesperson said.

McConnell was allegedly “fully engaged and is eager to get back to the Senate,” the spokesperson added.

CNN political commentator Scott Jennings, who previously worked as a campaign manager and adviser to McConnell, also confirmed a conversation with his former boss on Tuesday.

“He’s still recovering in the hospital,” Jennings wrote in an X post. “We talked for just shy of 20 minutes … about IRAN, UKRAINE, the unfolding situation in MAINE, my visit to the TR Presidential Library, and even a little bit of Senate history. I told him we want to see him back at work as soon as possible.”

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) participates in a mock swearing-in as his wife, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao holds a Bible, in the Old Senate Chamber at the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 3, 2021. Kevin Dietsch/Pool via AP

The longtime senator’s wife, Elaine Chao, who served as the former Secretary of Transportation and U. S. Secretary of Labor, separately released her first statement about her husband’s hospitalization this week.

“The secretary was on a long-planned trip in China to support her family’s philanthropic endeavors,” a spokesperson for Chao told The Epoch Times on July 8.

“During the trip, she met with a number of people, including the U.S. ambassador. The senator’s health did not warrant an immediate return to the United States.”

The spokesperson said that Chao has returned to the United States.

Jack Phillips contributed to this report.We had a problem loading this article. Please enable javascript or use a different browser. If the issue persists, please visit our help center.