Mitch McConnell has spoken with several political allies by phone as he continues to recover in hospital, amid growing speculation about his health following his June hospitalization.The 84-year-old Republican senator has been hospitalized since June 14, with his office only saying that he has been “improving.” The limited updates have fuelled questions about his condition and when he might return to the Senate.On Tuesday, former McConnell adviser and CNN political contributor Scott Jennings revealed on X that he had spoken with the senator for nearly 20 minutes earlier in the day.According to Jennings, the two discussed a range of topics, including Iran, Ukraine, the situation in Maine, his visit to the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and Senate history. He added that he wished McConnell a speedy recovery and hoped to see him return to work soon.“I spoke to my old friend Mitch McConnell this morning, the senior Senator from Kentucky. He’s still recovering in the hospital. 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,” he wrote.
Senate leaders also confirm phone conversations
John Thune, the Senate Majority Leader, also spoke with McConnell by phone on Monday, according to a statement from his office. The two reportedly had a lengthy discussion covering several issues, including national security.Separately, Senate Whip John Barrasso said he had a roughly 20-minute conversation with McConnell. Barrasso said the pair discussed Senate races, legislative priorities, the upcoming July work period, the need to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and confirming President Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence.According to Barrasso, McConnell was “fully engaged” during the call and is eager to return to the Senate.McConnell’s office later circulated the statements from Jennings, Thune and Barrasso to media outlets.
Hospitalisation details remain unclear
Despite the updates, McConnell’s office has not disclosed the reason for his hospitalization. However, local broadcaster WLKY reported that audio it obtained suggested the medical emergency may have involved cardiac arrest. McConnell’s office has not publicly confirmed that claim.McConnell last voted in the Senate on June 11. He was also seen using a wheelchair at the Capitol in the weeks before his hospitalization. The Senate is currently in recess and is scheduled to reconvene next week.
