Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear wrote in a Monday letter to Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell and his staff that the senator should “provide proof of your capacity to serve, or resign.” 

The letter from the governor came after McConnell’s office shared a Monday statement from the senator and another photo of him with his wife, former Secretary of Labor and Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao. McConnell, 84, was hospitalized in June, but has since moved to a rehabilitation center for treatment. He has not been voting in the U.S. Senate throughout this time. 

Speculation about the senator’s health and vitality has run rampant online. 

Beshear’s letter, which was obtained by the Kentucky Lantern, was addressed to McConnell “under the assumption that he is capable of reading and responding verbally, and not incapacitated by means of consciousness or cognition.” The governor also noted the country is facing challenges amid McConnell’s absence. 

“President Trump is stuck in a war of his own making and has greatly strengthened the very country he claims is a threat. Prices continue to rise, crushing Americans who are working hard but not getting ahead. Americans’ voting rights are being eliminated by the Supreme Court and threatened by congressional action,” Beshear wrote. “All while you are absent and refuse to communicate clearly and directly to the people you serve.” 

Beshear called on McConnell to “directly and verbally address the people of Kentucky and provide proof of your capacity to serve or resign.” 

The governor sent a similar letter to Republican Leader Sen. John Thune, of South Dakota. Beshear said his office’s research found a vacancy in the U.S. Senate occurs “when a senator dies, resigns, or is expelled by a vote of the Senate itself.” 

“If Senator McConnell is unwilling to voluntarily show that he still has the capacity to serve, I will insist that you as the Majority Leader of the Senate fully investigate his condition, report to the American people, and begin the process if warranted,” Beshear wrote to Thune. 

Beshear has faced many calls nationally to declare McConnell’s seat vacant. However, legal experts have previously told the Lantern Beshear has no authority to take any action on McConnell’s seat until the senator has resigned or died.

McConnell has said in previous statements that while he has not been on the Senate floor, he continues to work on Kentucky matters. McConnell’s signature was included with others from members of the Kentucky delegation on a Tuesday letter to President Donald Trump requesting he approve a major disaster declaration for the state after severe storms in June.

The letter was led by U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate this fall. The Democratic nominee is former state Rep. Charles Booker.

This story has been updated with additional information. 

Kentucky Lantern is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Kentucky Lantern maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Linda Blackford for questions: info@kentuckylantern.com.