2nd statement, photo released from Sen. Mitch McConnell; says he won't attend Fancy Farm - WLKY

Sen. Mitch McConnell's press team has released a new statement and second photo since his hospitalization. The statement says he's still doing rehabilitation and his doctor says he's not yet clear to return to Congress. It also says he won't be attending Fancy Farm, Kentucky's biggest political event, on Saturday, which he has attended for years: “I’m 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’ orders. Unfortunately, that means I won’t be able to make it to Fancy Farm, Kentucky this Saturday. “There’s no place I’d 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’ll miss the fun this year, but I’m sending my best wishes to the St. Jerome community for a successful picnic. “As always, I appreciate all of your continued well wishes, and I’m looking forward to getting back to the Senate and to Kentucky soon.” Here's the photo of the 84-year-old and his wife, Elaine Chao, which his team says is from Sunday. The statement also including a statement from the Office of the Attending Physician: “Senator 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. "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." McConnell was hospitalized June 14. The first statement from him says he suffered a fall and a mild case of pneumonia. So far, McConnell has missed 38 Senate votes since then. 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. Gov. Andy Beshear also sent two letters to McConnell's office and Senate leader John Thune demanding answers about the former's condition. Read the letter to McConnell here, and the letter to Thune here. The first written statement came out July 12, two weeks ago, with a similar photo. But that one included a view of a newspaper that gave some semblance of proof it was recent. Many lawmakers have been demanding more transparency from the senator, including Beshear, who said he received two calls from different agencies suggesting McConnell had died. He has urged McConnell to call into a news station to offer more transparency about the situation. Earlier this month, on July 7, two active senators and a former aide claimed on social media, all within an hour of each other, that they had gotten calls from McConnell. |