General Discussion

But since when have Rs recognized people's, rights?

Maybe they don't want the public to know because if he is too incapacitated to ever return to the Senate, he would need to be replaced. That would leave the Senate with one less Senator untill his replacement was chosen. But I can't see why that would matter. If he is incapacitated, he can't vote on anything. I think that Kentucky has a law requiring that a Republican be appointed to replace a Republican who dies or leaves office for health reasons, so nothing would change on the R vote count.

Given how Rs operate, McConnell could be dead or comatose and his staff might cast a vote on his behalf, claiming that he personally made the vote.