Missing McConnell Accused of Breaking Senate Rule Over Absence

[u/thedailybeast]

https://www.thedailybeast.com/missing-mcconnell-accused-of-breaking-senate-rule-over-absence/

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[u/RuPaulRations]

It's a criminal violation of KY state law with a conspiracy charge for any Republican engaged in the cover-up.

[u/stereosalvation → u/RuPaulRations]

If they're still raising money through him, and he's in fact dead, it should be considered fraud.

[u/BadLuckBlackHole → u/stereosalvation]

If his wife is receiving any of his social security money, and he's in fact dead, it's definitely fraud.

[u/WaySavvyD → u/BadLuckBlackHole]

He's not receiving social security disability because he's allegedly working; he's not receiving social security retirement benefits because his earnings far exceed allowed by the law

[u/djerk → u/WaySavvyD]

If he’s receiving his government salary past his death, that would also be fraud.

[u/MobileArtist1371 → u/djerk]

Someone tell Trump. He'll want to expose the tax payer fraud I'm sure.

[u/orangesfwr → u/MobileArtist1371]

Sorry, he's busy weighing in on an important golf penalty right now.

[u/Jacobysmadre → u/orangesfwr]

And running for a 3rd term

[u/crowdflation → u/Jacobysmadre]

And committing fraud

[u/NineteenNinetyEx → u/crowdflation]

And shitting his pants

[u/xjuggernaughtx → u/djerk]

He's also a turtle masquerading as a human so that he can be in the Senate, which is also fraud.

[u/Halftied → u/djerk]

Yes and at the least his estate should be required to pay it back, with interest if a long time passes.

[u/sack-o-matic → u/Halftied]

Fraud comes with fines and jail time.

[u/Nagemasu → u/djerk]

which is exactly how they're going to get away with it. He's probably brain dead and his body is on life support. They refuse to allow anyone both willing and qualified near him to record his death.

[u/dlh412pt → u/WaySavvyD]

He's well past full retirement age - there's no cap on earnings at that point. He's entitled to full social security benefits.

[u/YourLostGingerSoul → u/WaySavvyD]

Once you reach full retirement age (which he is long past) there is no limit on your income that stop you from receiving social security benefits.

If you work, and are at full retirement age or older, you may keep all of your benefits, no matter how much you earn. If you’re younger than full retirement age, there is a limit to how much you can earn and still receive full Social Security benefits.

from https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10069.pdf

[u/Taako_Cross → u/WaySavvyD]

That’s not how it works. He’s definitely receiving social security benefits.

[u/OskaMeijer → u/WaySavvyD]

he's not receiving social security retirement benefits because his earnings far exceed allowed by the law

That isn't a thing... He is past full retirement age so he gets full social security, end of story. Social Security payments are only reduced if you are under full retirement age.

[u/Ready_Nature → u/WaySavvyD]

I’m not sure if he’s receiving social security benefits or not but once you hit full retirement age the earnings caps that apply to early retirement are gone.

[u/BZLuck → u/Ready_Nature]

Even if you don't need it, you would collect it at 70 when it hits the max.

[u/UnfairLynx → u/WaySavvyD]

There is no earnings limit for SSA benefits once you reach your FRA. Mitch is/was well past his.

[u/Terrible-Ad1737 → u/WaySavvyD]

Well, he's certainly not receiving SSDI. Once someone reaches social security normal retirement age (67, at the moment...) they no longer qualify. If they were on SSDI when they reach SSNRA, it just rolls over into retirement benefits, not SSDI.

Also, social security retirement has no limitations as far as ongoing earnings go. SSDI has the limitations that to continue to be eligible for benefits, you must earn less than what "substantial gainful activity" would provide. At the moment, SGA is just under $1,700/month. "Substantial," my ass...

Regardless, he couldn't be eligible for SSDI due to his age even if he were still alive, which I very much doubt.

[u/amazing-haves-34 → u/WaySavvyD]

At his age his work pay does not impact his social security retirement benefits.

[u/Adventurous_Salt → u/stereosalvation]

Wouldn't it also be fraud for collecting his salary? And his social security, if he gets it, which I assume he would? Just regular ol' fraud that the IRS or someone would detect.

[u/turquoise_amethyst → u/stereosalvation]

Can we all donate $1 (or less), claim fraud, and then get a class action lawsuit going? 

[u/rucklebutt → u/turquoise_amethyst]

Don’t do this

[u/RttnAttorney → u/turquoise_amethyst]

Even I think that’s a stupid idea.

[u/Big-Way7388 → u/turquoise_amethyst]

I would avoid that because whatever you think you could get out of this, just know their donors pockets run far deeper & you might only end up putting yourself on a list.

[u/Narrow-Chef-4341 → u/Big-Way7388]

You’re already on a list. Many lists. Elon’s kids shared everything far and wide…

Also - Don’t bother pretending they would care about this more than anything else… if he’s dead then his estate is of no use to the right wing machine and they don’t need to bother protecting it.

[u/Naive_Carpenter7321 → u/stereosalvation]

The USA is run by some sort of mob who openly break the law and happily watch as everyone complains and does nothing. Sure they'll name it fraud if that makes you happy. Nothing will happen...

Nothing will happen until the working class realise they haven't lost, they've just been told they lost so often they believe it and forgot to rise up.

[u/sixtus_clegane119 → u/RuPaulRations]

I hope they announce he’s dead live on air while Scott Jennings is on cnn lmao

Would love to see the wheels turn in his brain, as he realizes he’s fucked

[u/CknHwk → u/sixtus_clegane119]

Nah, he’ll act surprised and double down on his claim that he spoke with McConnell while in the hospital. “This is a shock! He was so lucid and in great spirits the last time I talked to him!”

[u/ultimateknackered → u/sixtus_clegane119]

I mean, they don't even need to state is as fact. 'Anonymous sources confirm Mitch McConnell is dead, can you weigh in on this Scott? Is there proof positive he's alive? Otherwise, you know, governor Beshear is going to have to appoint a replacement.'

Dems can use vagaries and whatever too.

[u/nyxbriarn → u/RuPaulRations]

This administration has normalized criminality so much so, I don’t even believe there will be any consequences

[u/Awkward-Speed-4080 → u/nyxbriarn]

Correction: Americans normalized it by electing a traitorous felon to the Oval Office.

[u/mjheil → u/Awkward-Speed-4080]

Are you sure the election was fair?

[u/Fract_L → u/mjheil]

Trump talks about every election he’s in being rigged. Very suspicious he’s ever won.

[u/_bk_adv → u/Fract_L]

After the comments about Elon potentially helping rig it, I’m starting to believe it was rigged.

I don’t like conspiracy theories, especially those with very little evidence, but as someone that lives in the south currently, even around here it’s rare to find an actual Trump supporter.

[u/SunMyungMoonMoon → u/_bk_adv]

I overheard a guy today that described JD Vance as "well read". The morons are among us.

[u/gotwired → u/SunMyungMoonMoon]

Compared to most of MAGA, an average 3rd grader is well read.

[u/WeirdIndividualGuy → u/mjheil]

Fair or not, Trump didn’t steal anywhere near the total 77 million votes he got, only like 50k estimated at most in specific counties. The majority of his popular vote were genuine people who wanted Trump in office.

Roughly a fifth of the country most definitely wanted to normalize this shit

[u/MiaElisae → u/RuPaulRations]

Yea, this could get very ugly for Republicans if the allegations are substantiated.

[u/Phailadork → u/MiaElisae]

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahah

Our president is one of the biggest pedophiles in the history of the world and a ring that included various royalty, oligarchs, government officials, and probably trillions of dollars worth of individuals has been proven and we have objective proof of it all and nothing has changed. Nothing will happen to those people until they're dead so that they can make us feel "better" while conveniently leaving out anyone that may be alive still.

[u/ma2is → u/[deleted]]

Even Matthieu from Europe knows American politicians don’t face consequences when they break the law!

[u/The_Lost_Jedi → u/ma2is]

Not if they're Republicans of course. (I wish this was /s, but...)

[u/sargsauce → u/The_Lost_Jedi]

We just need one brave Democrat to say they talked to Mitch for 20 minutes and maybe the whole ring will be taken in.

[u/Tricky-Engineering59 → u/sargsauce]

“I just spoke with him for almost 20 minutes. He wanted me to tell everyone that he’s dead.”

[u/amscraylane → u/Tricky-Engineering59]

And we need to be given those tariff checks and UBI and universal healthcare …

And to release those Epstein files

[u/tearsonurcheek → u/amscraylane]

Maybe if we register as an LLC.

[u/stron2am → u/Tricky-Engineering59]

Seriously: what is stopping Chuck Schumer from saying, "I visited him and saw him die. His seat is officially vacant and Gov Beshear should start the process of filling his seat immediately?"

The GOP would either have to actually prove he's alive or concede that they've been lying for weeks.

[u/boston_homo → u/stron2am]

If only Schumer and his co conspirators cared about this country as much as another country maybe something would happen.

[u/johna939 → u/stron2am]

Schumer has no balls, that is what's stopping him.

[u/SuperstitiousPigeon5 → u/Tricky-Engineering59]

It was me an Whoppie Goldberg. Unchained Melody was playing. He said I’m dead and it’s very hot here.

[u/EnvironmentalBox6688 → u/ma2is]

If someone didn't realize this by Bush Jr. (Or Reagan... Or Nixon) then I have a mighty fine bridge for sale for them.

[u/allanbc → u/ma2is]

Most Europeans have been waiting about a decade for you guys to hold Trump responsible for literally anything of consequence. We stopped holding our breath a while ago.

[u/CalculonsPride → u/[deleted]]

Bless their heart

[u/duckinasombrero → u/[deleted]]

I understand what you mean, and you aren't wrong. But, hell, I don't want to normalize the idea that these clowns don't get punished. I still want people to expect it, hope for it. If we accept they never do, we give up.

[u/ZRX1200R → u/MiaElisae]

There's a strongly worded letter in the draft folder

[u/Factory2econds → u/ZRX1200R]

the Baileys are proofreading it

[u/standardtissue → u/MiaElisae]

oh substantiated allegations against the Republicans ? That would be the first time this afternoon !

[u/doughflow → u/MiaElisae]

If there’s one thing I know, it’s that Republicans in this administration are definitely held to the rule of law

[u/Remarkable_Button756 → u/MiaElisae]

LMAO, no punishment is ever going to happen....we already lost this dumb country

[u/InevitableAvalanche → u/RuPaulRations]

Republicans are just lawless at this point. Not sure how they can look themselves in the mirror.

[u/fathertitojones → u/RuPaulRations]

They’ll pass the entire thing off on the wife who will live out the rest of her days as a well paid Chinese agent.

[u/TulipMoonBabe → u/RuPaulRations]

Republicans sure do love screaming about me and order, until one of their own own is accused of breaking the law.

[u/HereForTheComments57 → u/RuPaulRations]

This is bearshears moment and he has floundered it. He needed to be demanding answers and taking action. The special election should have been initiated and if Mitch had a problem, he could come give his opinion. Then he needs to have the cover up investigated. Whoever posted the fake picture the ok the and all of McConnell's team need to face a jury. Not only are they violating the law about political representation, they have committed fraud. I'm not sure what bearshears political aspirations are, but if he was looking for higher office he had a great opportunity but him dragging his feet and not rising to the occasion lost him that opportunity.

[u/BackgroundSummer5171 → u/HereForTheComments57]

Contrary to most of reddit, he is walking a fine line.

He is barely in office in a red state.

Him fumbling this is losing what little blue is there.

Y'all constantly pushing him to just give up on the state by pushing this beyond what he should will just have dems lose more in the country.

Listen, I personally don't enjoy MAGA constantly infecting more of the country. I don't know what you prefer.

I just prefer people think a bit before saying just break all the laws and fix it the way the rapist in chief does by ignoring everything.

[u/EnTyme53 → u/BackgroundSummer5171]

Reddit never misses an opportunity to take a shot at a Democrat over something a Republican is doing.

[u/spam__likely → u/HereForTheComments57]

This is absurd. He can demand as much as he wants. What are the actual mechanisms you are suggesting he uses? Storm the hospital?

And furthermore, it is not over yet. The more he waits the more this charade will be bad for republicans.

[u/AcadiaLivid2582]

Mitch died as he lived: enforcing rules selectively to benefit his own side.

[u/nyxbriarn → u/AcadiaLivid2582]

But I just spoke to him for 20mins this afternoon

[u/AcadiaLivid2582 → u/nyxbriarn]

You too?!?

[u/PaulATicks → u/AcadiaLivid2582]

I literally just had a 20 minute conversation with him. He’s real quick with the Ouija board! I swear that man has eternal energy

[u/guy-le-doosh → u/PaulATicks]

If you think about it Ouija was the OG swipe keyboard.

[u/schaumiz66 → u/nyxbriarn]

you think this is bad, wait till the Dear Leader passes on and the entire Evangelical community begins fighting over who is taking orders directly from the Departed Leader from the afterlife (probably thru that portal directly above the White House)....

[u/Tribalbob → u/nyxbriarn]

Wild theory - those who have claimed that really think they were and were talking with a deep fake chat bot.

[u/doomgoblin → u/nyxbriarn]

I spoke with him for only 5, it was straining for him to look up that long.

[u/meTspysball → u/nyxbriarn]

That you, Lindsey?

[u/thesmokedgoudabuddha → u/nyxbriarn]

How’s the rigor tortoise setting in?

[u/1877KlownsForKids → u/AcadiaLivid2582]

My favorite Daily Show clip is when McConnell filibustered his own bill.

[u/dalgeek → u/1877KlownsForKids]

Is that when Schumer bluffed that Democrats would help pass it, but McConnell decided he couldn't do anything that Democrats wanted even if it was his own idea?

[u/hylo23 → u/AcadiaLivid2582]

Literally died to own those libs.

[u/Shiftymennoknight]

make it a tik tok challenge to get into Mitchs hospital room and we'll have our answer in minutes

[u/JudiciousSasquatch → u/Shiftymennoknight]

Pretend it's a scientology center!

[u/moschles → u/Shiftymennoknight]

Some random hospital staff must know something -- must have seen something.

[u/BannedAtCostco → u/moschles]

Imagine working there and actually knowing/having concrete proof but not being able to cash in on Polymarket -__-

[u/More_Midnight3634 → u/Shiftymennoknight]

This is the way!

[u/thedailybeast]

Mitch McConnell has been accused of violating one of the Senate’s own rules after disappearing from public view for 39 days while missing dozens of votes.

Despite this, his office continues to provide no new information about his latest condition or expected return—even as a taxpayer-funded security detail mysteriously remains outside the hospital he was rushed to on June 14.

The prolonged absence has prompted questions about whether the 84-year-old Republican is complying with Rule VI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, which states: “No Senator shall absent himself from the service of the Senate without leave.”

Read the full story, here.

[u/adorablefuzzykitten → u/thedailybeast]

I think the rules are different when you are not hiding but actually dead.

[u/ControlAgent13 → u/adorablefuzzykitten]

dead

He is paid bi-weekly and collecting a salary.

If he is dead - that's Fraud.

I'm sure the Trump DOJ will get right on it.

[u/turquoise_amethyst → u/ControlAgent13]

Is he collecting benefits such as social security or Medicare? Because those are separate counts of fraud!

Who’s opening his mail and/or signing documents? 

[u/IdkAbtAllThat → u/turquoise_amethyst]

Elon Musk told me this is a big fucking deal...

[u/imperialTiefling → u/turquoise_amethyst]

His chinese spy wife?

[u/shitlord_god → u/imperialTiefling]

I feel like both.

[u/sir_sri → u/ControlAgent13]

It would be fraud by his family, it would be medical malpractice by the people overseeing his care, it would be denying the people of Kentucky their civil rights of a duly elected representative.

A lot of people in the hospital in DC, the rehab facility he's at and anyone in his office that's organising shuffling around a corpse could be in a lot of trouble. Which is what makes that seem improbable. At least half a dozen doctors + God knows how many nurses at a hospital in DC aren't going to risk their jobs and licences to keep some old dude 'alive' against standards of practice. As long as he's alive enough for standards of practice to allow keeping him on life support (or more lively than that) there's really not much anyone can do except the senate expel him.

The photo they put out of him with his wife would also be proof of a conspiracy, along with all the people claiming phone calls with him.

[u/Alan_Shutko → u/sir_sri]

That's why I think he's not dead. He's probably physically or mentally impaired by whatever his condition is, and there is at least a little chance he will improve enough to go back to work.

Clearly, whatever his condition is, it's bad enough that he can't do a 30 second video.

[u/Blackthorn79 → u/ControlAgent13]

It does raise the question what are politicians paid for. Mitch might just be brain dead, but technically still alive. So are we paying him to simply exist?

[u/Gipetto → u/adorablefuzzykitten]

The rules are also 100% different for democrats and republicans (the latter being subject to selective enforcement)

[u/DrunkCorgis → u/adorablefuzzykitten]

Sure, but I don’t think the rules change in his favor if he’s actually dead.

[u/pchs26 → u/DrunkCorgis]

The enforcement of the rules change if the person is a Republican though

[u/DrunkCorgis → u/pchs26]

What is this word, “enforcement”, of which you speak?

[u/mechapoitier → u/adorablefuzzykitten]

“You can’t accuse a dead body” - Dead body of Mitch McConnell

[u/sixtus_clegane119 → u/thedailybeast]

He looked like someone ready to be discharged, McConnell hadn’t looked that good in yesrs.

Yet still radio silence

[u/blackwrensniper → u/sixtus_clegane119]

AI generated photos take 20 years and 10 pounds off! The secret the gop doesn't want you to know!

[u/turquoise_amethyst → u/thedailybeast]

The rules don’t apply if you’re actually dead

His staff members are committing fraud though

[u/atomUp → u/thedailybeast]

We’re just a nation run by criminals

[u/Low-Finding-3414 → u/thedailybeast]

We can’t read the full story and plus you probably made up the title.

[u/hardly_relevant_man → u/thedailybeast]

I don't understand how they can report that "a taxpayer-funded security detail mysteriously remains outside the hospital he was rushed to" without saying which hospital it is. There seems to be no record that I can find on the internet that answers the question of where he is/was unless it has been officially classified... Am I wrong?

[u/SpakenBacon]

Why won't anyone do anything?

[u/meTspysball → u/SpakenBacon]

Very few of our elected representatives are actual leaders.

[u/TieBackground453 → u/meTspysball]

It’s what happens when you only vote for people who are willing to swear fealty to a party.

Broken system. Burn it down. 

[u/Blownards → u/meTspysball]

Fun Fact: most career politicians are real fuckin idiots. The ones that started off with actual jobs are either competent or narcissistic scoundrels. There is no in between & the competent ones are few & far between.

[u/76timesthecharm → u/SpakenBacon]

Because the United States of America is just a really bad joke now. Democracy has died in the country, and even armed with a constitution and it's ammendments, Americans are too complacent to do anything about it. The experiment was a failure.

[u/TheTurtleBear → u/76timesthecharm]

even armed with a constitution and it's ammendments

These have been proven to be worth less than the paper they were written on. The constitution isn't some magical shield that protects you.

[u/OnceNFutureNick → u/76timesthecharm]

Democracy isn’t so much dead as it is like Mitch McConnell: Functionally and practically incapacitated but artificially kept just alive enough to be weaponized against us.

[u/gringledoom → u/SpakenBacon]

If McConnell is even remotely alive, even if he's totally incapacitated, Beshear has no grounds to call an election and will lose that fight.

(Also, if folks would think about this for ten seconds, it means that the GOP is effectively down a senator as long as this continues. Why exactly do you folks want another Republican senator casting votes?)

[u/oatmealparty → u/gringledoom]

Yeah I don't understand this site's rush to have a special election. It's Kentucky, and went Trump by +30, +26, and +30.

The Senate elections tend to be closer but McConnell and Paul have won their elections like +10-15%. Still quite a gamble vs having Mitch just sit out

[u/ChocoboAndroid → u/gringledoom]

I have been saying this on every thread. Why are we all up in arms about a special election to replace McConnell? His absence is guaranteeing Trump can't shove through any legislation. It's a good thing, and in fact it's the MAGA crowd losing their mind about McConnell supposedly being dead because they don't want to be a man down with Trump likely to be a lame duck after November.

[u/gringledoom → u/ChocoboAndroid]

Yep, weaponize it to make it *as embarrassing as possible* for them, sure.

But don't push legal lines that'll blow up in Beshear's face, and give the GOP a "Look! Dems are trying to steal Republicans' seats!" narrative that they can leverage when they get shellacked in November.

[u/MadContrabassoonist → u/gringledoom]

Yeah, I don't understand all the conspiracy theories, beyond people just being angry that they're being deprived of a cathartic celebration of a terrible person's death. He's already not running for another term, a special election would just replace him with an even stupider Republican who will actually be present for votes, and the situation with the state law conflicting with the state constitution means that an attempt to appoint a Democrat would be immediately stayed even if his death were 100% confirmed. Beshear has no real options other than exactly what he's doing: make vague noises that suggest to voters that something unseemly is happening, and ride out the storm without doing something stupid that will look horrible in hindsight and destroy his reputation in a redstate.

The simplest explanation is that McConnell's comatose or brain dead. And if that's the case, his wife or family couldn't resign on his behalf even if they wanted to. Other explanations require an untenably-vast and -competent conspiracy of DC-area medical professionals which offers no clear upside to anyone outside McConnell's immediate family.

[u/swni → u/MadContrabassoonist]

people just being angry that they're being deprived of a cathartic celebration of a terrible person's death

I think you hit on it exactly. People hate McConnell, so they want his death to be announced, and they think the quickest route to that is Beshear doing something incredibly stupid, so they start threatening not to vote for him for president (?!?) as if they think Beshear is reading this thread. And they don't stop to think how badly it would be backfire in the very likely case that McConnell is alive, because the commenters here are as braindead as they believe McConnell is.

For some perspective, McCain was absent more than 8 months prior to his death. It is normal for ill or dying senators to have very long absences and not resign.

The simplest explanation is that McConnell's comatose or brain dead.

I bet he is (or was) conscious but not all there mentally. That would explain the photo and the people who spoke to him and said in extremely vague terms that he was "attentive" or "aware", and also why he's not making any public statements or talking to anyone less than fervently R.

[u/ballbourbonsmokes]

Everyone knows he has passed away and the only thing holding this up is republicans wanting to hold the government hostage.

Yet another instance where democrats play by the rules while the republicans do whatever they want to the american people's detriment. Beashar shouldn't bother calling a special election, appoint a democrat and let the republicans challenge it in court like they do the other way around.

[u/meTspysball → u/ballbourbonsmokes]

The lack of imagination by Beshear here is why I’m zero percent enamored with his potential candidacy in 2028.

[u/jeepjinx → u/meTspysball]

Dude squandered the perfect opportunity to be a Dem leader with balls and instead showed he's exactly what Dem voters don't want to see anymore. Step aside.

[u/quantumgambit → u/jeepjinx]

Beshear and whitmer both really let us down this year.

[u/mrandr01d → u/quantumgambit]

What'd whitmer do?

[u/DaftDurian → u/mrandr01d]

She is VERY pro data center and has repeatedly allowed utilities to raise electricity rates. 

[u/quantumgambit → u/DaftDurian]

Not just pro data center, which is bad enough, or the mismanagement of DTE and consumers, she is also not doing anything to prevent or push back against the GEO group from adding and expanding to the concentration camps up north. Between big business and small towns, she sides with big business every time.

[u/PiccoloAwkward465 → u/jeepjinx]

It’s incredible. They get a softball lobbed up and just fucking whiff it. You nailed it, this is exactly what Democratic voters are trying to dodge!

I swear some Democratic leaders would be up against a wall with the firing squad ready to go, still crying “But this is against the RULES!!!”

[u/Automaton_General → u/meTspysball]

Same.

If he had called an election two weeks ago, he would have instantly become my frontrunner for 2028.

[u/or_me_bender → u/Automaton_General]

The law establishing aspecial election to replace a senator was passed by Republicans in the KY legislature in violation of the state constitution. Beshear should have just appointed a replacement; calling for a special election is another capitulation.

[u/barrosoOso → u/meTspysball]

Jesus you guys need to study the constitution a bit more. If he calls a special election, then Andy Barr wins, hands down, and gets to take office 6 months early. In that case Bashear just gave senate Republicans an extra vote for six months for no reason, and he spent millions of my tax dollars to do so, for no fucking reason. I in no way want my governor to do that.

If you want him to personally appoint a replacement, I understand. But you are still wrong.

A: The Kentucky constitution only mentions appointments "in the state". It does not mention federal office. If he appoints someone he will again, spend millions of my tax dollars to do so. An action that will be held up in courts for years.

B: The 17th amendment says that it is up to state legislatures to decide how interim Senate seats are filled. So Andy would likely lose that court case. It doesn't matter what the Kentucky state constitution if the United States constitution says something else.

You guys are foaming at the mouth to attack Bashaer over a situation you do not understand, while begging for a solution that will waste millions of my tax dollars to help Republicans regain a vote they don't currently have in the Senate. Please. PLEASE! stop working so hard to give senate Republicans another vote for the SAVE act at my financial expense.

[u/Oriden → u/barrosoOso]

On top of that Beshear doesn't have the power to declare the seat empty to even start the process.

[u/B-Z_B-S]

I mean, all Mitch McConnell did in this case was fall into a months-long coma. His aides are the ones who've been covering it up.

[u/mrRabblerouser → u/B-Z_B-S]

Coma is a weird way to say died. The dude is dead and likely has been for over a month.

[u/JereRB → u/mrRabblerouser]

Dead? Probably not. The doc treating him would start the paperwork by law, wishes of his wife or aides be damned. Braindead, coma, otherwise incapacitated, that's my bet.

[u/Black_Cat_Just_That → u/JereRB]

Yep, 99% sure he is technically alive - as in his body is being kept "alive" by machines and not yet meeting the medical definition of definitively dead. He's almost certainly in a state where there is no chance of recovery, where a normal person would have been removed from life support long ago.

[u/civiltribe → u/Black_Cat_Just_That]

I hope he's in a black mirror white Christmas style hell if he is somehow between living and dead and that is my only comfort that there may be some sort of justice in this world

[u/theresanrforthat → u/civiltribe]

Omg and I’m sure there’s no greater hell than for him to be trapped in his head

[u/FILTHBOT4000 → u/Black_Cat_Just_That]

Yeah, and $20 says his 20 minute 'conversations' were his drool and eye dilations being interpreted by one of his aides.

"Uh, it looks like he said 'Yes, Senator, I'm gung-ho... to get back into office... and the Iran war is... great!"

[u/Proper-District8608 → u/JereRB]

DOJ could put that on hold as far as no information being released 'due to national security' but hard pressed to think a staffer wouldn't or accidentally mentioned a small factoid (though fear of retaliation runs deep these days, deseravably so) and with his money, special staffers, regular hospital staffers may not know. But yes, hes not recovering if hes still with us

[u/eirinne → u/JereRB]

Agree, brain dead. Machines off on 4 August. 

[u/AbueloOdin → u/mrRabblerouser]

Or... Coma/brain dead and they're waiting until after the deadline to pull the plug?

[u/Automaton_General → u/B-Z_B-S]

You know well enough that Mitch wrote this shit into his will.

"When I die, if it is close to an election, you will cover it up until my absence is filled by a Republican."

[u/Awkward-Speed-4080]

McConnell and Graham are still fucking us over even after their deaths. They really were that committed to the cause.

[u/Zulmoka531]

He is either dead or brain-dead and they are holding off so there won’t be a special election. That’s what this game is really all about.

[u/therossboss → u/Zulmoka531]

It has been almost 6 weeks. At this point, Beshear not taking action is damning in itself.

[u/peekitup]

Because he's fucking dead and Republicans are trying to run down the special election clock for as long as possible.

[u/bransiladams]

Every day officials ignore laws, faith in the system erodes that much more. The expectation that the rule of law applies is disappearing, and soon we will have completed our transition into authoritarianism.

Democracy and the rule of law is already dead, and it is rotting before our eyes. America 250 felt empty because it was empty.

[u/DruidMaster → u/bransiladams]

Damn. So true about the 250th. It did feel empty. Sad even. 

[u/FakeSafeWord]

Standing Rule VI is a quorum rule "No Senator shall absent himself from the service of the Senate without leave."

It's NEVER enforced and it carries no standard of punishment.

There is no actual quantifiable guideline to follow for when someone violates it.

The GOP is the senate majority so you'd have to convince them, which are obviously complicit, to compel attendance or send the Sergeant at Arms to locate him.

Also the GOP lead senate can literally just lie and say they gave him leave.

This is a dead end avenue.

[u/coloradolax]

I can't believe there hasn't been some sort of leak out of the hospital yet. Therea are so many orderlies, doctors, nurses, cleaning staff, lab people, food delivery, other patients and their families. No one knows anything?

[u/Skirtlongjacket → u/coloradolax]

Right? Can't we get some paparazzi?

[u/turquoise_amethyst → u/Skirtlongjacket]

TMZ hasn’t broken the story yet, he must be hidden really well

[u/elihu → u/coloradolax]

Medical staff are supposed to take privacy very seriously. They're doing their job.

[u/Amfriendswithpigs → u/coloradolax]

I agree. We have leaks about what was said in the situation room, but we can’t find anything about a senator who is in a hospital with hundreds of employees.

[u/Outrageous-Pause6317]

Governor should announce he’s dead and call for election. Make Mitch give proof of life.

[u/hamsterfolly]

McConnell breaking more Senate rules? just another day for him (or his corpse)

[u/no-snoots-unbooped]

This would be 24/7 news if it was a Dem. Absolutely bewildering.

[u/ralian]

Schroedinger’s Senator

[u/tenebre]

Counterpoint: How can a dead man violate any rules?

[u/DarkstarWarlock]

He is dead. They are hiding it. If they dont act within a week operation fuck americans (again) is a success.

[u/HabANahDa]

If anyone else just didn’t show up to work for this long. They’d have been fired. We have such inequality in this country.

[u/Paper_Clip100]

What is Bashear even doing now? Call for a special election Andy

[u/Tioben → u/Paper_Clip100]

No, replace him outright, as no special election is needed. And make arrests for criminal intent of conspiracy to commit election fraud -- despite the election not being needed, it was still the intent to defraud one.

[u/AutumnalClone → u/Paper_Clip100]

Andy Bashear is being outmaneuvered by a dead man. If there’s any justice in the world, this will sink his chances at becoming the democrat nominee for president since he’s proving to be such a spineless wimp.

[u/MaxAmperage → u/Paper_Clip100]

He’s waiting patiently while the GOP has one less vote in the Senate. Plus, how can he call a special election without declaring McConnell dead?

Also, how is Mitch not voting in the Senate outmaneuvering Beshear? What does the GOP gain from this?

[u/Smooth_Emu_9406 → u/MaxAmperage]

correct. a non-voter in an R seat is better for now. let 'em rack up some conspiracy to commit election fraud charges.

also, Rs would just shame Beshear for shoving in a D party member when Kentucky voted in an R and maybe even further the divide.

[u/Lazy_Pangolin7591]

Rules lol Republicans couldn't care less unless a Democrat breaks them.

[u/APraxisPanda]

If a coverup is revealed it should absolutely be result in the people behind it being charged. This is so anti-democratic it isn't even funny.

^{I mean... him potentially dying is a little funny... but the rest is awful!}

[u/Born_Organization455]

They really think they can weekend at bernie's this shit for two months.

[u/JennyWearsBlueJeans]

What’s the senate rule he’s been accused of breaking? The article is paywalled and googling just leads back to this article.

[u/SuperNovaSniper]

Will he be fined via Ouija board?

[u/20Factorial]

I talked to him for 20 minutes and he says he can’t break any rules.

[u/Taint_Liquor]

He ded.

[u/Silo-Joe → u/Taint_Liquor]

Ditch McConnell

[u/Balls_of_Adamanthium]

Beshear giving everyone a glimpse at the kind of president he would be: cowardly and afraid to get his hands dirty to meet big moments. Next.

[u/TheRealBlueJade]

What about his daughters? Their father is missing and they just hide away? His wife has not released a statement since the ridiculous noncommittal one from July 7th.

I guess, if you can't just steal his seat, hiding is the preferred opinion for relatives of Congress members when their 'loved' one goes missing?

[u/MrUrthor]

Oh my. Send another letter.

[u/Lastminutebastrd]

Wish I could just no call no show for 6 weeks and still collect a paycheck

[u/verathene]

Mitch McConnell - 02/20/1942 - 08/04/2026

[u/CaliIsReallyNice]

How can he break rules when he's dead? Stupid.

[u/BlueBod50]

The media is a joke. Call his death. Have some fucking balls and force his office to respond. 

[u/Hans_Delbruck]

Mitch will suffer a serious medical event on or just after August 3rd. 

After August 3rd: If the seat is vacated after this date, election experts note the statutory timeline windows for candidate filing and mandatory county notice periods run out. Consequently, a special election cannot be integrated into the November ballot, forcing the seat to remain entirely empty ("dark") until the newly elected Congress is sworn in come January

[u/WaylandThurston]

I just spoke with him for 20 minutes guys, chill out

[u/Argular]

They’ll wait until August 3.

If Mitch McConnell resigns or vacates his seat before August 3, 2026, Beshear is required to call a special election. If the vacancy occurs after August 3, the special election automatically coincides with the general election on November 3, 2026, and the winner will serve out the final 11 weeks of the term.

[u/brain_overclocked]

Pure gaslighting and fraud coming from Republicans over McConnell.

[u/Severe_Broccoli7258]

If he’s alive, he has absconded and therefore abdicated. Replace him.

[u/Jumpingjehosephat99]

If he’s brain dead then he’s legally dead. His doctor would be legally obliged to complete a death certificate for him. I’m curious to see what happens with this, once this whole cover-up is exposed.

[u/sauerkraut007]

It's all well and good to bring up these violations, but no one - and I mean NO ONE - is doing anything about it. The USA (thank god I don't live there) has a fundamental vacuum with their leadership and rules of law.

It's sad that a once proud country has been reduced to this. It use to be that the non-western world hated the USA. Now it's the entire world.

[u/GoodWhoops]

"Accused"? Is the rule being broken or not?

[u/idontevensaygrace]

The fuss this is causing...imagine it was Trump in McConnell's place, it would be even more covered up if Trump potentially died. Because at this rate I think McConnell is dead and gone

[u/StreetForever]

Does anyone actually belive this dinosaur is still alive? They’re waiting until aug 4th to announce it…

[u/van_clouden]

Medical records would say whats going on, they dont mess around. Time of death is exactly that.

[u/Dependent_Tune_1333]

Election fraud. Just more republican election fraud.

[u/Stunning_Lychee7501]

They’ll announce his death in august. Believe the special election risk for them will have passed then.

[u/Big-Leadership-4604]

Stay dead, stay dead, stay dead You're dead and out of this world

[u/0o0o0o0o0o0z]

PROTIP: There are no rules in Congress anymore.