Conservative commentator Scott Jennings said Tuesday on CNN that he spoke directly with Senator Mitch McConnell and found the Kentucky Republican in an "improving position" as questions continue to swirl around the former Senate leader's health and prolonged absence from public view.

The update comes nearly two months after McConnell disappeared from public life following a June 14 hospitalization that later led to a stay at an inpatient rehabilitation facility. While McConnell's office announced last week that he had been discharged and was continuing his recovery at home, the senator himself has not publicly addressed Kentuckians or the wider public, fueling questions about his condition and ability to serve out the remainder of his term.

Speaking on CNN's "The Arena," Jennings said McConnell personally called him Tuesday and appeared engaged, alert and focused on politics. The longtime McConnell ally said the 84-year-old senator discussed several issues, including the Michigan Senate race, broader Republican electoral math, the farm bill and preservation of the Senate filibuster.

"He called me directly from his phone today," Jennings said, adding that McConnell sounded noticeably better than during an earlier conversation after his hospitalization. "Being at home is better than being in the hospital, that's for sure."

According to Jennings, McConnell's goal is to return to the Senate when lawmakers reconvene on September 14. "I think their plan is to hopefully get him back to the Senate," Jennings said, noting that several legislative issues remain important to the senator before he leaves office in January.

The comments come as Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, a Democrat, has publicly questioned McConnell's continued silence, arguing that constituents deserve a direct update from the senator himself. Beshear said he has not heard personally from McConnell and suggested the lack of public communication has raised legitimate concerns about the veteran lawmaker's capacity to continue serving.

Jennings pushed back on that criticism, describing McConnell as intensely private and noting that the senator, a polio survivor, has long been reluctant to publicly discuss health matters. He also said McConnell is aware of the speculation surrounding his condition and has expressed frustration with some of the public scrutiny.

While McConnell has not voted in the Senate since June, Jennings said the senator has remained engaged behind the scenes, holding meetings with staff, speaking with fellow senators by phone and continuing to follow legislative developments. McConnell, who announced earlier this year that he would not seek reelection, is serving the final months of a decades-long Senate career as Kentucky prepares to elect his successor in November.

Mitch McConnell's New Phone Call With Scott Jennings: What to Know

Jennings said his conversation with McConnell suggested the veteran senator remains closely engaged with politics and legislative issues despite being out of public view during his recovery. The conservative commentator said McConnell personally called him on Tuesday and was "really up on the campaigns," discussing key Senate battlegrounds and Republican electoral prospects heading into November.

"We talked a lot about the Michigan Senate race. We talked about Maine a little bit, talking about just the math in general," Jennings said, arguing that the conversation reflected McConnell's continued focus on national politics. Jennings added that he could tell the senator was in an "improving position" and appeared energized by being back home after leaving a rehabilitation facility.

Beyond campaign strategy, Jennings said McConnell also discussed policy matters that he hopes to address if he returns to Washington when the Senate reconvenes in September. "I know there's some issues that he cares about a lot. Farm bill and NDAA and some other issues," Jennings said, describing the legislation as among the priorities keeping the senator engaged during his recovery.

Jennings also suggested McConnell is aware of the growing scrutiny over his extended absence and lack of public appearances. Recounting part of their conversation, Jennings said the senator told him: "I know this is an unusual circumstance. I'm sitting here, the doctors tell me I don't have any life-threatening issues. It must seem rather strange." Jennings added that he got the impression McConnell was "somewhat aware of it and frankly somewhat frustrated by it" as speculation about his condition continues.

This is a breaking news article. Updates to follow.