Rep. Seth Moulton is calling on all sitting U.S. senators and Senate candidates to release their health records — a move that seems aimed at highlighting the age of his Democratic Senate primary opponent, incumbent Sen. Ed Markey, at a moment in which the physical well-being of members of the Senate has drawn increased scrutiny.
“A U.S. Senate seat isn’t a lifetime achievement award or a retirement plan — it’s an incredibly important job, especially in the age of Trump and MAGA,” Moulton said in a statement released Wednesday morning. “We have to put our progressive values and the future of the country over personal ambition.
“Voters have a right to total transparency about whether the leaders they elect have the capacity to serve a full six-year term and fight for our rights,” Moulton added. “I’m urging Senator Markey to immediately join me in releasing his health records and calling on all Senators and Senate candidates to do the same so voters can make an informed choice.”
Moulton also argued in the statement that control of the Senate and the confirmation of the next Supreme Court Justice could come down to one single vote.
Moulton’s call comes days after South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham died unexpectedly at the age of 71. It also comes amid concerns over the health of 84-year-old Senator Mitch McConnell, the former Senate majority leader, who released a photo and a statement aimed at quelling speculation that he was physically and/or mentally incapacitated following a lengthy unexplained absence from the Senate.
The proposal dovetails with the core of Moulton’s argument against Markey — namely, that after five decades in Congress, the 80-year-old senator should be replaced by someone younger and more vigorous. Moutlon is 47 years old.
In their first debate earlier this month, Markey described himself as “the most energized I’ve ever been” and said of Moulton’s critique: “It’s not your age; it’s the age of your ideas that’s important. And in this race, I’m the youngest guy.”
Recent polling shows Markey with a mid-single-digits lead over Moulton, who served in the Marines.
Moulton has previously tried to oust then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and briefly ran for president in 2019.
The Markey campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.
Moulton’s health records were not available Wednesday. A campaign spokesperson said they’d been requested from the Veterans Administration system and would be released upon receipt.
