On Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters that he was not having any health issues despite evident bruising on his hands and around his lips.
O’Donnell was asked about his health and how he was feeling and the senator from Kentucky ignored the questions. When asked if there was anything that the people should know regarding his health he replied “of course not.”
On Thursday, McConnell arrived at the Capitol with both hands severely discolored in a deep purple. He also had band-aids on some of his knuckles.
McConnell’s lips as well as the areas surrounding his mouth were discolored.
Social media users questioned whether McConnell had contracted COVID-19 after a serious outbreak at the White House earlier this month. Some stated that it appeared that he was taking blood thinners or suffering from some type of health issue.
Focus on McConnell’s health comes as he plans to hold a floor vote on Monday to try and confirm Amy Coney Barrett, Trump’s Supreme Court nominee.
After dodging questions about his health McConnell stated that he expected the confirmation vote on Barrett to be held “probably Monday evening, early.
Early voting in Kentucky began on October 13 and McConnell’s health may be a relevant issue for voters.
“It’s understandable that Senator McConnell might not want to discuss questions about his health so close to an election,” said Marisa McNee, a spokesperson for Kentucky Democratic Party. “But as Senate Majority Leader, he is a public figure which requires more disclosure and transparency than just the average private person.”
McNee added that McConnell has spoken openly in the past about his medical care, such as undergoing surgery following a shoulder fracture.
“It’s not clear why he’s suddenly become so secretive, but we certainly wish him well and hope he is okay,” McNee said.
McConnell has been saying for weeks that he is clearing the decks to push the SCOTUS nomination through.
He was even called out by former President Barack Obama on the matter.
The empty seat was created by the death of feminist icon Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
“Four and a half years ago, when Republicans refused to hold a hearing or an up-or-down vote on Merrick Garland, they invented the principle that the Senate shouldn’t fill an open seat on the Supreme Court before a new president was sworn in,” Obama wrote in a statement.
“A basic principle of the law — and of everyday fairness — is that we apply rules with consistency, and not based on what’s convenient or advantageous at the moment,” he said, adding that the legitimacy of American courts and democracy depends on the equal application of this standard.
“As votes are already being cast in this election, Republican Senators are now called to apply that standard,” Obama said.
McConnell has given no indication that he will abide by any kind of moral or ethical standard on the topic.
