Republican senators gave their verdict on Sen. Mitch McConnell’s first week back at work Wednesday, with one saying it doesn’t matter if the Kentucky politician is able to talk or not.
Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) stared daggers at a Raw Story reporter when asked if McConnell had proved himself capable of doing the job after turning up four times to vote since Sept. 14.
The senator disappeared for weeks after reportedly taking a fall at home on June 14, and being hospitalized until August. He has looked vacant and has yet to be seen speaking — other than to verbally vote the wrong way on a bill.
Fischer was asked if that worried her, and if she thought McConnell should be asked to demonstrate — perhaps with a short video — that he can respond to questions.
“Does he need to? I don’t think he needs to,” she slapped back.
“He was here for our Farm Bill vote, and he voted. People were saying that he didn’t respond, no, he voted.”
On Sept. 15, McConnell initially appeared to vote with the Democrats in his first vote back at the Senate, but switched his vote from “no” to “aye” after Republican colleagues, including Chair John Boozman, leaned in and murmured to him.
The bill passed 12-11, a margin his original vote would have reversed.
Many appalled commentators claimed that proved he was in no way competent to represent the people of Kentucky.
“He was very quiet to begin with,” said Fischer, returning to concerns that he hadn’t been heard speaking. “He spoke [at the Farm Bill vote]. There was disruption, if you watch the video.” The video shows McConnell murmur “no,” and then change his answer to “aye.”
Senator John Hoeven (R-ND), one of the members who directed McConnell on how to vote, told Raw Story it was his fault that the Kentucky senator initially went with the Democrats.
“He had it right,” he said.
“It was [a] vote on final passage. I thought we were still doing a procedural vote on motions to challenge the ruling of the chair. So no, he had it right.”
He then told Raw Story McConnell would be happy to chat to show how competent he is — despite multiple attempts to talk with him being ignored by him or rebuffed by aides.
Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell was silent again when asked questions pic.twitter.com/fIxi0fam9C — Nicholas A Ballasy (@NicholasBallasy) September 23, 2026
“You know, you can visit him,” Hoeven said. “He’ll be coming in and out for votes and, one of these times he does, you can talk to him and I think you’ll find he’s the same old Mitch. He’s not the most talkative guy in the hall. He’s always been that way.”
Other Republicans were much less willing to discuss McConnell’s return. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) dashed into a Senate elevator and avoided eye contact when asked about it.
And Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) uttered just “oh man” when asked.
When pushed for comment, he said, “He’s a great guy” as the elevator doors closed.
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