After 44 years in public service, U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) has no retirement plans, despite some recent news reports describing the senator as disoriented and frail on Capitol Hill this week.

“I’m glad to be on the job, and I appreciate the well wishes from everyone as I get back on schedule,” Cochran said in email on Friday. Cochran returned to Washington this week after spending about a month at home with urological issues

The 79-year-old senator, who serves as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, voted yes on Thursday to the Senate’s budget plan, which passed by a 51-49 vote. Meanwhile, news reports about the senator’s health continue to lend doubt to Cochran’s ability to serve.

On Wednesday, a Politico reporter asked Cochran about early retirement, to which the senator replied, “Don’t believe everything you hear.”

But when asked by Politico whether or not he would remain chairman of the Appropriations Committee, a seemingly confused Cochran repeated the question, “As chairman of the appropriations committee?”

Cochran also “had to be guided by staffers around a security checkpoint inside the Capitol,” Politico reported.

When asked if Cochran had been pressured to return for the budget vote, Cochran smiled and replied “It’s a beautiful day outside.”

Urinary Tract Infections are known to cause confusion in older patients.

According to an article from Agingcare.com, common symptoms of UTIs, such as the need to urinate frequently and/or urgently.

“But in older adults, those symptoms are often missing. Instead, older adults may suffer from unexplained incontinence, vague fatigue or significant changes their behavior and mental status,” the article said.

According to an article from Margery D. Rosen on the AARP website, “UTIs are often missed in older people because seniors rarely have the typical symptoms of a high fever or pain. Instead there may be memory problems, confusion, delirium, dizziness, agitation, even hallucinations.”

Chris Gallegos, a spokesman in Cochran’s office, said the senator will be “staying in here through the foreseeable future” while he continues to recover.

If Cochran were to resign early, Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant would appoint an interim senator until a special election.

Cochran was re-elected in 2014.

On Friday, Bryant would not comment on Cochran’s possible retirement.

“Mississippi is stronger because of Sen. Cochran’s service, and I look forward to it continuing,” the governor said. “Speculation about anything else is insensitive, irresponsible and unfair.”

Fellow legislators seemed optimistic Friday about Cochran’s return.

“I am thrilled that my friend Sen. Cochran is back in Washington and that his health is improving every day,” said U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, a fellow Mississippi Republican. “Last night, with his help, we passed a budget that will lay the groundwork to deliver tax cuts for Mississippi families and job creators.”

U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper (R-Miss.) was glad to see Cochran as well.

“Great news for Mississippi to have Sen. Cochran back at work,” Harper said. “He has long been a champion for our state and it is an honor to serve with him in our nation’s capitol.”