McConnell's absence puts Trump agenda at risk as Kentucky succession questions grow

A deadline that could have determined Sen. Mitch McConnell’s future in the Senate has come and gone as the timeline for the Kentucky Republican’s return remains in the air.

Speculation swirled over Aug. 3 and its ramifications for McConnell’s winnowing tenure in the Senate, given that he’s been absent from the public eye since early June and is slated to retire at the end of this year.

Armchair election quarterbacks suggested that Monday was the day for Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, to have called a special election to replace McConnell.

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But the longtime Republican has not vacated his seat, and Beshear contended that the obscure deadline had no real legal teeth.

"I know there are a lot of folks wondering about the significance of August 3 regarding a potential Senate vacancy," Beshear said on X. "I want everyone to know that this date has no legal impact on my options should there be a vacancy this year."

Still, Kentucky’s Senate succession law has undergone major changes in recent years. Should the Bluegrass State suddenly have a vacant seat in the upper chamber, Beshear wouldn’t be allowed to appoint a replacement as is the case in other states — this was most recently put to the test when Sen. Lindsey Graham suddenly died in South Carolina.

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That means if McConnell’s seat were to become vacant, Beshear would be required to call a special election to fill his remaining time in the Senate.

When asked for comment on the matter, McConnell’s office directed Fox News Digital to the last statement from the senator, released on July 27, that detailed under doctors' orders that he was not "medically cleared" to return to the Senate quite yet. 

"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," McConnell said.

Despite the acknowledgment that Monday meant little legally when it came to replacing McConnell, Beshear noted that his absence is hindering current and future agenda items for the Trump administration.

"Worth a reminder: Right now, there’s one less vote for the SAVE Act, Trump’s war with Iran, or the potential replacement of a SCOTUS justice," he said.

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And the Senate is chugging along without the longest-serving Republican leader in history. However, his missing dozens of votes hasn’t necessarily stopped legislation so far.

But during the dizzying sprint to wrap up work ahead of a scheduled break during August, his vote could count more than ever.

There are three Republicans who are on the fence about Blanche, too.

Notably, President Donald Trump’s nomination of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is hanging by a thread, in part, because McConnell is not there. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, announced her intention to vote against him, leaving Republicans with only one vote to spare before his path to leading the Department of Justice closes.

"I don't know what those individuals are going to do, and I just… Mitch is still out," Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., told Fox News Digital. "But I think he’ll be confirmed. And we've got a lot of work to do this week."