McConnell's Team Collects Nearly $500,000 While Senator Remains Hospitalized

During Mitch McConnell's seven-week absence, his Senate office paid roughly $485,800 in salaries, with six top staffers earning $173,200 combined.

Mitch McConnell has been absent from the Senate for seven weeks following a hospital stay that began on June 14, but his office has kept paying staff salaries amounting to about $485,800 pre-tax over the past 50 days. The six highest-paid employees—chief of staff Terry Carmack, communications director Stephanie Penn, operations director Melissa Bennet, and state director Robbin Taylor—each earn between $214,000 and $226,000 annually, together pulling $173,200 in the recent period.

The office, which employs roughly 40 people, continued normal payroll despite the senator’s limited public updates about his condition. McConnell’s statement said he suffered a fall, brief unconsciousness, and a mild case of pneumonia, while refusing to elaborate further. Senate leaders, including John Thune and John Barrasso, claim they have spoken with McConnell in short calls, though some Republicans and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear seek more transparency. The Daily Beast’s request for comment went unanswered, and communications director Penn evaded questions on the floor of the Capitol.