Mitch McConnell did not show up Wednesday to a congressional reception where he was billed as a featured guest. Instead, his chief of staff reportedly attended in his place, and the senator’s office has not explained the absence.
Mitch McConnell skips event after return to office
The Kentucky Republican was scheduled to appear at an evening reception hosted for the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce, one of the state’s largest business advocacy groups. The schedule listed him as a “featured guest.” The absence came during his second week back at work after 92 days away from the Senate.
A source told the Daily Beast that Terry Carmack, McConnell’s chief of staff, attended instead. A second source claimed Will Clark, a man often seen pushing McConnell’s wheelchair, was also present. A McConnell spokesperson did not answer when asked to confirm who attended, and the office did not respond to the outlet’s inquiry about the absence.
The event capped the chamber’s annual “fly-in” to Washington, D.C., a 20-year tradition. About 90 Kentucky officials and business leaders joined this year’s trip, the largest delegation ever, according to local reports.
Mitch McConnell has established ties to the organization. He reportedly secured $41 million in this year in federal funds in order to have a new administration building at the Department of Energy’s Paducah site. The Four Rivers Nuclear Partnership, a Kentucky-based Energy Department contractor, sponsored Wednesday’s reception.
Fellow Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul appeared to meet with the delegation earlier that day. Unlike McConnell, he was not listed as a “special guest.” McConnell was hospitalized June 14 and stayed out of public view for months, missing 60 Senate votes. When the Senate reconvened last week after a five-week recess, he returned without warning. He has said his absence followed a fall in June and then pneumonia.
Last Wednesday, he took part in a Senate Agriculture Committee vote on the Farm Bill. He said “aye” when his name was called, but at the wrong time. On Tuesday, a video showed McConnell raising his right hand in a “peace” sign, a gesture he has used with reporters in recent days.
All in all, Mitch McConnell’s office has not said why he skipped Wednesday’s reception or whether he plans to make up the missed appearance.
