A columnist at Kentucky’s largest newspaper has published what he termed a “pre-obituary” of Senator Mitch McConnell. He accused the former Republican Majority Leader of dismantling civil rights protections he once championed and of enabling President Donald Trump despite privately calling him “stupid” and a “despicable human being.”

Joseph Gerth, a columnist for the Louisville Courier Journal, wrote a piece released Wednesday. He shared his assessment of McConnell’s career despite the 84-year-old senator still being alive, to avoid criticism posthumously. Gerth mentioned his motivation stemmed from the backlash faced when criticizing deceased Senator Lindsey Graham, where online criticism met with objections about propriety.

In his column, Gerth compared McConnell to former President Richard Nixon. He described McConnell as “every bit the detestable figure” akin to Nixon but noted McConnell “never paid for his sins.” Gerth highlighted McConnell’s actions regarding Supreme Court nominations, with the blockade of Merrick Garland’s nomination in 2016 and later pushing for Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation shortly before the 2020 election. Gerth argued these decisions damaged the court’s credibility, supported by polling showing approval falling from 58 percent in July 2020 to 36 percent in a recent Economist/YouGov survey.

McConnell’s Recent Health Timeline

McConnell’s absence from public view has sparked discussions and calls for health disclosure requirements for congressional members. Since June 11, McConnell has missed every roll-call vote, with his office attributing this to a fall and pneumonia. Photographs from a hospital bed have not eased public concern. His history includes several falls and health scares lately.

Mitch McConnell’s Career in Congress

Mitch McConnell began his Senate journey in 1984, winning against an incumbent Democrat. He was Kentucky’s first Republican to win a statewide race since 1968, going on to serve six times as a senator. McConnell’s early political path differed from his established Washington image. He once supported civil rights and attended rallies, witnessing President Lyndon Johnson sign the Voting Rights Act.

As one of Washington’s powerful Republicans, McConnell achieved major legislative victories like supporting Trump’s 2017 tax reform bill with 31 bills passed into law. His relationship with Trump was complex, backing Trump’s agenda and Supreme Court confirmations, until post-2020 election criticisms arose. He endorsed Trump’s 2024 campaign despite conflicts, announcing he wouldn’t seek another Senate term on his 83rd birthday in February 2025.

McConnell Absence Sparks Push to Change Congress Rules

The absence of McConnell and others led to debates over mandatory health disclosure in Congress. Representative Ritchie Torres plans to propose legislation, requiring public notices for extended absences. The Duty of Transparency Act would necessitate constituent notifications regarding the duration and ability to perform duties during absences.

Current rules don’t mandate public reasoning for missed votes or health information disclosures, though some members voluntarily provide updates, like Senator John Fetterman’s office during his hospitalization for depression in 2023.

Full List of Senators Beyond Retirement Age

The hospitalization of McConnell and Graham’s passing has highlighted scrutiny on Congress’ upper chamber, where the average member is 65, with over a third aged 70 or older. The spotlight raises fitness concerns when health crises arise. Of 99 senators, the average age is 65.1, with 36 aged over 70. Senator Chuck Grassley, 92, remains active, showing his fitness through ongoing corn farming.

Senate age brackets show a significant aging presence in Congress, with close age averages between parties. Broken down, there are eight senators in their 40s, 22 within 50s, 33 aged in their 60s, 28 in their 70s, seven in their 80s, and Grassley alone in his 90s. Age distribution sees 36 senators aged 70 or older, evenly divided with Republicans averaging 64.9 years and Democrats 64.6 years.

Here’s a list of senators aged 70 and older, ranked by age:

• Sheldon Whitehouse, 70, Democrat, Rhode Island
• Chuck Grassley, 92, Republican, Iowa
• Bernie Sanders, 84, independent, Vermont
• Mitch McConnell, 84, Republican, Kentucky
• James E. Risch, 83, Republican, Idaho
• Angus S. King, Jr., 82, independent, Maine
• Richard J. Durbin, 81, Democrat, Illinois
• Richard Blumenthal, 80, Democrat, Connecticut
• Edward J. Markey, 80, Democrat, Massachusetts
• Jeanne Shaheen, 79, Democrat, New Hampshire
• Peter Welch, 79, Democrat, Vermont
• Mazie K. Hirono, 78, Democrat, Hawaii
• Ron Wyden, 77, Democrat, Oregon
• Elizabeth Warren, 77, Democrat, Massachusetts
• Jack Reed, 76, Democrat, Rhode Island
• Roger F. Wicker, 75, Republican, Mississippi
• John Boozman, 75, Republican, Arkansas
• Mike Crapo, 75, Republican, Idaho
• Patty Murray, 75, Democrat, Washington
• Charles E. Schumer, 75, Democrat, New York
• Deb Fischer, 75, Republican, Nebraska
• James C. Justice, 75, Republican, West Virginia
• John Cornyn, 74, Republican, Texas
• Marsha Blackburn, 74, Republican, Tennessee
• John Kennedy, 74, Republican, Louisiana
• John W. Hickenlooper, 74, Democrat, Colorado
• John Barrasso, 73, Republican, Wyoming
• Susan M. Collins, 73, Republican, Maine
• Rick Scott, 73, Republican, Florida
• Shelley Moore Capito, 72, Republican, West Virginia
• Jerry Moran, 72, Republican, Kansas
• Mark R. Warner, 71, Democrat, Virginia
• Ron Johnson, 71, Republican, Wisconsin
• Mike Rounds, 71, Republican, South Dakota
• Cynthia M. Lummis, 71, Republican, Wyoming
• Tommy Tuberville, 71, Republican, Alabama