Beshear Asks McConnell for Health Update After Hospitalization

Former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, who is married to McConnell, issued a statement for the first time Tuesday saying she had traveled to China on June 12 before he became ill. She has since returned to the United States.

"The secretary was on a long-planned trip in China to support her family's philanthropic endeavors," a representative for Chao said in a statement to WLKY-TV in Louisville. "During the trip, she met with a number of people, including the U.S. ambassador. The Senator's health did not warrant an immediate return to the U.S."

Multiple Senate Republicans said they have recently spoken with McConnell. A representative for Sen. John Thune said he spoke with him by phone Monday. The two "had a lengthy and substantive conversation that covered a variety of topics, including national security," the representative said.

A spokeswoman for Sen. John Barrasso said the two spoke Tuesday afternoon. "They caught up about the latest news impacting Senate races, the Graham Platner scandal and the recent Supreme Court ruling on coordinating spending limits," spokeswoman Kate Noyes said. "Senator McConnell was fully engaged and is eager to get back to the Senate."

McConnell's absence from the Senate could make it more difficult for Republicans to pass legislation in the chamber with a smaller majority of 52-47. Without him there, the Senate Appropriations Committee is evenly split between parties, making it tougher for Republicans to advance spending bills.

McConnell previously announced plans to retire in January, in which case his seat would be filled through regular elections this November. If he vacates the seat before then, Kentucky laws require the seat to be filled via special election unless the seat becomes vacant within a certain number of days before the general election.