Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) could possibly return to the Senate when senators return from recess on September 14.

“I expect that. I sure hope so,” Rep. James Comer (R-KY) told a reporter when asked if McConnell would return after the recess, according to The Hill.

McConnell has not appeared in the Senate since June, when he was hospitalized for a reported fall and a pneumonia diagnosis.

The prolonged absence has many people questioning, including Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, whether the former Senate majority leader is capable of performing his job duties.

The Hill shared further:

Though Comer conceded that he had not spoken to McConnell directly, the GOP representative confirmed he was in regular contact with the senator’s staff.

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“They have all said it’s their goal for Sen. McConnell to be here when the Senate comes in next week,” he said.

McConnell, who hasn’t voted since June 11, was hospitalized on June 14 after a fall in his Capitol Hill townhouse. The 84-year-old senator announced last month that he had been discharged from the rehabilitation center where he was undergoing intense physical therapy as part of his recovery.

Beshear called on McConnell to resign unless he could verbally address his constituents and demonstrate his ability to serve in office.

“I am addressing this letter to Senator McConnell under the assumption that he is capable of reading and responding verbally, and not incapacitated by means of consciousness or cognition. If the Senator is unable to respond for either of those or other conditions, consider this letter a demand for his Senate staff to be honest and transparent with the people of Kentucky,” a letter to McConnell and his staff read.

“I understand anyone’s desire for privacy, but when you run for office and serve as one of a state’s two U.S. senators, you willingly abdicate much of your personal privacy. That’s the deal, and we all know it when we run,” it continued.

“I am calling on you to directly and verbally address the people of Kentucky and provide proof of your capacity to serve, or resign,” it added.

Kentucky Governor Calls On Mitch McConnell To “Resign” Unless He Can Prove Specific Capacities

More from USA TODAY:

Criticism also came from the other side of the aisle. While wishing McConnell a speedy recovery in a July interview with Fox News, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, also said the Kentucky senator had an "obligation to your constituents and the country to tell them what’s going on."

Hawley continued, saying that Republicans missing McConnell's crucial vote in the Senate was not easy in light of the GOP's slim majority.

McConnell announced Aug. 6 that he was discharged from a rehabilitation facility and would continue recovering at home.

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"Elaine and I are grateful for the many well wishes and support from friends, colleagues, and Kentuckians," McConnell said in a statement issued by his Senate office.

 

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