Kentucky Governor to McConnell: Prove Fitness to Serve or ‘Resign’

Two photographs supplemented by personal statements from Sen. Mitch McConnell (R, Ky.), who has been absent from Congress since mid-June, have not quelled doubts about his health status. Now, Kentucky’s Democratic governor has demanded that the veteran GOP lawmaker prove his fitness for office or resign.Gov. Andy Beshear sent a letter to McConnell on Monday, “under the assumption that he is capable of reading and responding verbally, and not incapacitated by means of consciousness or cognition,” following McConnell’s hospitalization on June 14. In the letter, Beshear called on the 84-year-old to “directly and verbally address the people of Kentucky and provide proof of your capacity to serve, or resign.” Beshear also sent a similarly worded letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune and urged him to “fully investigate” McConnell’s condition, report to the public if the ailing Senator did not voluntarily show his ability to serve, and assess if Senate proceedings were warranted.In most states, governors appoint new senators to fill vacant U.S. Senate seats, but Kentucky’s state law requires a special election to be held instead.The letter went public as McConnell’s office released ...