In Washington D.C., prank missing-person posters featuring Senator Mitch McConnell have appeared, highlighting his prolonged absence from Congress. McConnell remains hospitalized, prompting questions about his health.
The posters, displaying “MISSING PERSON” in large red letters, show the Kentucky Republican in a hospital bed. They describe him as “84 years old. 5’9 feet. Turtle-like.” These were created by the Save America Movement, a group identifying as citizen-led, focusing on defending democracy and restoring common sense.
“Known for: Blocking something in the Senate. Distinguishing features: Tortoise-like appearance.”
This description is shown in an image shared by the group on X. McConnell has been away from Congress for several weeks following a hospitalization in mid-June due to a fall and a mild case of pneumonia.
In a statement released by his office on Monday, McConnell expressed his commitment to returning. “I’m still working hard to get back to my full schedule of work in the Senate and in Kentucky, keeping up with intense physical therapy per my doctors’ orders,” he stated.
A spokesperson for the Save America group explained the motivation behind the flyers to The Independent. “We put those flyers up because this has gotten absurd. For more than a month now, the senior senator from Kentucky has not cast a vote, has not appeared for the work of the chamber, and has not, in any provable or functional sense, represented the four and a half million people who sent him there,” they said.
Senator McConnell’s absence has drawn criticism from some colleagues. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, a Democrat, demanded McConnell directly communicate with the people of Kentucky and demonstrate his capacity to serve, or otherwise step down.
This story is still developing, with further updates to come.