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WASHINGTON \u2014<\/p>\nSecond photo of Sen. Mitch McConnell emerges; statement says he’s not cleared for Senate<\/p>\n
WASHINGTON \u2014<\/p>\n
Sen. Mitch McConnell’s press team has released a new statement and second photo since his hospitalization.<\/p>\n
The statement says he’s still doing rehabilitation and his doctor says he’s not yet clear to return to Congress.<\/p>\n
It also says he won’t be attending Fancy Farm, Kentucky’s biggest political event, on Saturday<\/a>:<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m still working hard to get back to my full schedule of work in the Senate and in Kentucky, keeping up with intense physical therapy per my doctors\u2019 orders. Unfortunately, that means I won\u2019t be able to make it to Fancy Farm, Kentucky this Saturday.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no place I\u2019d rather be on the first Saturday in August than with the good people of western Kentucky, feasting on pork and mutton. When I first attended forty-two years ago, Fancy Farm was a pretty lonely place to be a Republican. But, my, how times have changed. Today, western Kentucky is a conservative Republican sea of red. So I hate that I\u2019ll miss the fun this year, but I\u2019m sending my best wishes to the St. Jerome community for a successful picnic.<\/p>\n \u201cAs always, I appreciate all of your continued well wishes, and I\u2019m looking forward to getting back to the Senate and to Kentucky soon.\u201d<\/p>\n Here’s the photo of the 84-year-old and his wife, Elaine Chao, which his team says is from Sunday.<\/p>\n Sen. Mitch McConnell and Elaine Chao<\/p>\n The statement also including a statement from the Office of the Attending Physician:<\/p>\n \u201cSenator McConnell continues his recovery from a fall at home in June. OAP physicians visit with the Senator every day, discussing all aspects of his rehabilitation care. Since his discharge from hospital care, he has maintained a strenuous course of physical therapy and rehabilitation, including multiple sessions a day designed to rebuild strength and reduce the risk of future falls. <\/p>\n “His bout with childhood polio continues to be a significant factor in his mobility. He is not yet medically cleared to leave the rehab facility and return to the office.”<\/p>\n McConnell was hospitalized June 14. The first statement from him says he suffered a fall and a mild case of pneumonia. <\/p>\n So far, McConnell has missed 38 Senate votes since then.<\/p>\n The only communication from him has come via email in written statements, sent by his team. So far, no traces of him on audio or video.<\/p>\n The first written statement came out July 12, two weeks ago, with a similar photo<\/a>. But that one included a view of a newspaper that gave some semblance of proof it was recent.<\/p>\n Many lawmakers have been demanding more transparency from the senator, including Gov. Andy Beshear, who said he received two calls from different agencies suggesting McConnell had died.<\/a><\/p>\n He has urged McConnell to call into a news station to offer more transparency about the situation. <\/p>\n![\"Image](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/fbab9f28-29ff-4590-930f-fae057f27db4.png\")
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