MIA Mitch McConnell Must Explain His Absence Or Retire

The Federalist ^ | July 10, 2026 | M.D. Kittle

[Red Badger]

The rules are clear: senators must disclose to the Senate reasons for an extended absence. Has Mitch McConnell done that? Is he even alive?

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He’s dead. No, he’s alive. He’s brain dead. He’s living in a Barstow Motel 6 under an assumed name with Elvis.

The political and social media spheres have been buzzing for nearly a month about Sen. Addison Mitchell McConnell’s state of … existence. The 84-year-old Kentucky Republican reportedly was admitted to a D.C.-area hospital on June 14 after he suffered “cardiac arrest” at his Capitol Hill townhouse.

And then he just seemed to disappear.

“Have you spoken to Sen. Mitch McConnell?” a reporter asked President Donald Trump on Thursday.

“No I haven’t.” Trump answered.

“Do you know how he’s doing?” asked another.

“I have no idea how he’s doing,” the president said.

Do his colleagues?

The upper house’s rules are clear: senators must disclose to the Senate reasons for an extensive absence, as The Federalist’s co-founder and CEO Sean Davis noted Thursday on X. It’s not clear whether McConnell, who holds the record as the longest-serving party leader in the Senate’s history, has followed the rules.

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TOPICS: Government; Health/Medicine; History; Politics
KEYWORDS: chicommitch; kentucky; mitchfeinstein; mitchmcconnell; thetdsturtle

[Col Frank Slade]

Why can’t Hillary disappear like this ..

[kawhill]

Mitch McConnell has experienced a series of health issues, including childhood polio, heart surgery, and several falls. His major medical events include:Unexplained Prolonged Hospitalization (June-July 2026): McConnell was admitted to the hospital in mid-June following a medical emergency at his home where he was unconscious and treated by paramedics. His staff kept the exact condition private Here’s what we know about Sen. Mitch McConnell’s health.Flu-Like Symptoms (February 2026): He was hospitalized for eight days as a precaution Inside Mitch McConnell’s Health Struggles - People.com.Freezing Episodes (Summer 2023): He experienced two separate incidents on camera where he abruptly froze and was unable to speak or respond for several seconds, leading to public speculation about potential transient ischemic attacks (mini-strokes) or seizures What We Know About Mitch McConnell’s Health As ... - Mitch has had a stroke of bad luck the last few years.

[Merrick]

Here is a moderately authoritative discussion of the requirements. But it all hinges on Thune. Good luck with that...

The U.S. Senate requires that no member be absent from a session unless granted leave by the Senate or unable to attend due to illness. Senators cannot unilaterally excuse themselves; absence without leave violates Senate rules.

Notification and Leave Process:

A Senator seeking an extended absence must obtain formal leave granted by the Senate itself.

In cases of disability or temporary absence, the Senator must certify the facts to the President Pro Tempore; if unable to do so, the Senate may certify via roll call or mail ballot.

The Senate retains the authority to compel attendance of absent members, even with fewer than a quorum present, through orders executed by the Sergeant at Arms.

Consequences and Enforcement:

Absent Senators may be subject to compulsory attendance orders, which remain in effect until the member appears or the Senate dispenses with further proceedings.

Less than a quorum cannot excuse an absent Senator; only unanimous consent or a formal Senate vote can grant relief from attendance mandates.

Rules emphasize that Senators cannot withdraw from service without leave, reinforcing the obligation to maintain presence unless officially excused.

[Merrick]

I should add, both Democrats and Republicans in the Senate can put pressure on Thune. Do you really expect that? Honestly?

[fwdude]

This reminds me of my old U.S. rep Kay Grainger, who they eventually found in an assisted living facility after being a.w.o.l for about a year.

[Vermont Lt]

He’s Dead Jim.

[Red Badger]

I remember that..................for now..................

[Theoria]

Correct. Only politicians are allowed to collect a pay check and disappear. There is no accountability out there. The first person who stands up and leads on changing the rules or getting these people fired will get alot of support. These parties hate America.

[theyreallthesame]

Fair enough.... but there needs to be uniformity in these events. Tired of Pubbies caving in only to see the jackasses change the rules when it happens to them.

[Seruzawa]

They never give up power.

[Merrick]

As fwdude points out, it happens plenty on both sides. I’m not saying that’s right or fair. And, yes, Democrats will press on this crap if they see a political advantage, but most of the time they wink and nod and agree that since it’ll be a Democrat next week or next month they’ll keep their mouths shut.

Now, last week Bashear did publicly complain. So he might be able to get a Senator or two to complain. Until that happens...

[Wayne07]

Do you want McConnell out now?

Andy Beshear thinks he can appoint a democrat to the seat, that the recently passed law mandating a special election is unconstitutional. Even if it goes to a special, it would be only a month or so before the actual election in November. Best political case is for McConnell to hang in for another month, leave the seat empty until Nov, and hope there is no close vote or supreme court vacancy that could go wrong.

[Paladin2]

How does Rand Paul not know?

[combat_boots]

McConnell is notoriously selfish.

[CathyWhite]

And there’s also Tom Kean in the House, out with depression.

[bigbob]

Or croak. Oops that’s what frogs do...

[Rlsau1]

Mitch will soon realize that all his lucre won’t do much for him where he’s bound.

[Libloather]

Use the Festerman rule.

[Merrick]

Bashear can’t appoint anything. There has to be a special election if McConnel is out by 3 August.

But Beshear MIGHT try to challenge that law. I doubt he’ll succeed if he does.