Republican Rep. Marlin Stutzman made the eyebrow-raising statement on NewsNation after being bluntly asked if he believes McConnell, 84, is dead.

“You know, just the things that I’ve heard and seen from some friends is that he’s obviously not doing well, but don’t know if he’s alive or has passed away,” Stutzman said.

Stutzman, who represents northeast Indiana, slammed the secrecy surrounding McConnell’s three-week hospitalization. He demanded answers from the McConnell team, which is led by his longtime, camera-shy aide, Terry Carmack, who is set to earn more than $226,000 this year.