this post was submitted on 05 Jul 2026
149 points (100.0% liked)

politics

30618 readers
1690 users here now

Welcome to the discussion of US Politics!

Rules:

  1. Post only links to articles, Title must fairly describe link contents. If your title differs from the site’s, it should only be to add context or be more descriptive. Do not post entire articles in the body or in the comments.

Links must be to the original source, not an aggregator like Google Amp, MSN, or Yahoo.

Example:

  1. Articles must be relevant to politics. Links must be to quality and original content. Articles should be worth reading. Clickbait, stub articles, and rehosted or stolen content are not allowed. Check your source for Reliability and Bias here.
  2. Be civil, No violations of TOS. It’s OK to say the subject of an article is behaving like a (pejorative, pejorative). It’s NOT OK to say another USER is (pejorative). Strong language is fine, just not directed at other members. Engage in good-faith and with respect! This includes accusing another user of being a bot or paid actor. Trolling is uncivil and is grounds for removal and/or a community ban.
  3. No memes, trolling, or low-effort comments. Reposts, misinformation, off-topic, trolling, or offensive. Similarly, if you see posts along these lines, do not engage. Report them, block them, and live a happier life than they do. We see too many slapfights that boil down to "Mom! He's bugging me!" and "I'm not touching you!" Going forward, slapfights will result in removed comments and temp bans to cool off.
  4. Vote based on comment quality, not agreement. This community aims to foster discussion; please reward people for putting effort into articulating their viewpoint, even if you disagree with it.
  5. No hate speech, slurs, celebrating death, advocating violence, or abusive language. This will result in a ban. Usernames containing racist, or inappropriate slurs will be banned without warning

We ask that the users report any comment or post that violate the rules, to use critical thinking when reading, posting or commenting. Users that post off-topic spam, advocate violence, have multiple comments or posts removed, weaponize reports or violate the code of conduct will be banned.

All posts and comments will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This means that some content that violates the rules may be allowed, while other content that does not violate the rules may be removed. The moderators retain the right to remove any content and ban users.

That's all the rules!

Civic Links

Register To Vote

Citizenship Resource Center

Congressional Awards Program

Federal Government Agencies

Library of Congress Legislative Resources

The White House

U.S. House of Representatives

U.S. Senate

Partnered Communities:

News

World News

Business News

Political Discussion

Ask Politics

Military News

Global Politics

Moderate Politics

Progressive Politics

UK Politics

Canadian Politics

Australian Politics

New Zealand Politics

founded 3 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Mitch McConnell's recent hospitalization has renewed scrutiny of what would happen if Kentucky's longest-serving senator were unable to complete his term.

The speculation follows his recent hospitalization and limited information released by his office.

While there has been no indication that McConnell plans to resign, the episode has drawn attention to a major change Kentucky lawmakers made in 2024 to the state's Senate vacancy laws. The legislation eliminated the governor's ability to appoint a replacement senator and instead directed vacancies to be filled through a special election process.

top 17 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] ryrybang@lemmy.world 41 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

While there has been no indication that McConnell plans to resign

There's no indication that McConnell is capable of making any plans for anything right now. Step one is proving he's alive. Step two is proving he's mentally capable. If neither is true, he needs to be impeached, like yesterday.

[–] Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works 21 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Does he? The Republican majority in the Senate is 53-47 right now. McConnell holds the seat but can't show up to vote on anything. He also can't participate in his committees. He's not an asset, he's a hindrance to Republican goals. A Special Election would likely result in a fresh new young Republican who could move the evil agenda forward and who'd then be the incumbent for the next 40 years. Unless you think there's such a groundswell of Democratic Socialism in Kentucky that you could flip the seat, but I have doubts.

[–] disorderly@lemmy.world 10 points 3 weeks ago

Maybe. McConnell is a lot more to the Republicans than a vote, he's a beacon of soft power. Even the idea that he might return may be more valuable to them than some greenhorn state senator.

[–] IHeartBadCode@fedia.io 11 points 3 weeks ago

Senators aren't impeached. They are expelled. Expulsion requires two-thirds vote in the Senate.

[–] adarza@lemmy.ca 24 points 3 weeks ago

major change Kentucky lawmakers made in 2024 to the state's Senate vacancy laws

lemme guess. specifically because they don't want their relatively popular 2-term democrat governor to name even a temporary replacement for the aging and ailing turtle.

[–] dektep@lemmy.world 17 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

this asshole is already dead

[–] SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 4 points 3 weeks ago

Visit my lemonade and asparagus stand just a few steps away from his grave. We are franchising soon.

[–] WatDabney@lemmy.dbzer0.com 15 points 3 weeks ago

And yes - just as I assumed when I saw that the change was made in 2024, the current governor is a Democrat.

[–] Akasazh@lemmy.world 8 points 3 weeks ago

I mean how they have voted for this spineless fuckwit over and over is not giving me any hope for betterment

[–] you_are_dust@lemmy.world 7 points 3 weeks ago

Hasn't he been in a catatonic state for over a year now?

[–] foggy@lemmy.world 3 points 3 weeks ago

Death questions*

[–] switcheroo@lemmy.world 3 points 3 weeks ago

Just announce the turtle finally flipped on his back already! This anticipation is awful!

[–] Batmorous@lemmy.world 3 points 3 weeks ago

We need to go in and see how he is actually. None of this red tape bullshit. That way the election can happen

[–] HazardousBanjo@lemmy.world 3 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

I've been seeing people suggest this is a dry run for when Trump croaks, which seems plausible.

I suppose it all depends on just how much JD Vance would be willing to sit out becoming president. The couch fucker might immediately expose it the moment the big beautiful day happens.

[–] doomchapel666@lemmy.zip 5 points 3 weeks ago

i'm sure someone will mistakenly add a journalist to the "trump is dead" group chat and we'll find out that way.

[–] Astronut@lemmy.zip 4 points 3 weeks ago

Vance is Sofa King nauseating!