CNN conservative pundit Scott Jennings was needled on air Thursday after saying he expected Sen. Mitch McConnell to issue another public update by Monday.

Jennings made the remarks during a segment with CNN anchor Kasie Hunt, who asked whether he had heard anything new from McConnell. Earlier this month, Jennings said he had a 17-minute phone call with McConnell, whom he has known since he was a teenager and for whom he previously worked. The MAGA commentator has since drawn mounting criticism over his remarks, including a statement from CNN saying the network would not vouch for Jennings' comments and that they do not represent the organization's reporting.

Lawmakers from both parties have raised concerns about McConnell's absence after he went missing from Congress 39 days ago for undisclosed medical treatment. The 83-year-old Kentucky Republican, the longest-serving Senate party leader in U.S. history, stepped down from leadership in January but retained his seat. His prolonged absence has meant missed votes in a narrowly divided chamber. Two weeks ago, McConnell's team released a photo of him with his wife, Elaine Chao, but the image has not ended skepticism or questions about his condition, which remains unknown.

"I know he continues to do his rehab activities," Jennings said. "I know he's still following doctor's orders, and my assumption is sometime between now and Monday, they'll probably issue another update on how he's coming along. I don't know if they've made any decisions about whether he's going to be cleared to come back to work or not, but I would be surprised if we don't hear from them again by the weekend or by Monday."

Jennings said he believes McConnell should "routinely" provide constituents with updates about his health and "keep people apprised of the issues that he's looking in on, of the work that he's doing with his staff, and just be transparent about the things that he can do, even while he's convalescing and recovering."

"Truthfully, I think a little transparency on the front end here would have saved him a whole lot of grief," Jennings added. "But that didn't happen. And they are where they are now. But I think regular updates on things are good to do, and that'd be my advice."

Hunt noted that Jennings had offered a similar answer during a previous discussion about McConnell's status.

"I think last time that you and I spoke about this very topic, you said the exact same thing," Hunt said. "You were like, 'Ask me on Monday.'"

Jennings joked that "the oracle of Kentucky" had been right.

CNN panelist and commentator Xochitl Hinojosa then put a direct question to Jennings: "At what point do you think that maybe he should resign from his seat?"

Jennings appeared surprised by the question.

"Give up his seat because he is not able to do the job of a U.S. senator," Hinojosa said.

"Well, he's not voting, Scott," Hunt added.

"And he's getting paid," Hinojosa said.

Were McConnell to step down, Kentucky law provides that the governor appoint a a replacement to fill the vacancy.