Elaine Chao delivered a lengthy acceptance speech at a sold-out luncheon—and conveniently left out any mention of her ailing husband. Her husband, 84-year-old Mitch McConnell, was noticeably absent from the ceremony. Elaine Chao accepted the Donald D. Engen Trophy for Aviation Excellence on Wednesday. Though she repeatedly appealed to Congress in her speech, Chao notably left out any reference to one of the most powerful Republicans in the Senate: McConnell, her husband of more than three decades. Mitch McConnell's office has released two proof-of-life photos since he was hospitalized on June 14.