Senator Mitch McConnell abruptly stopped speaking and froze in place for about 20 seconds during a news conference Wednesday in the Capitol, raising new concerns about the Republican leader’s health.
(Bloomberg) — Senator Mitch McConnell abruptly stopped speaking and froze in place for about 20 seconds during a news conference Wednesday in the Capitol, raising new concerns about the Republican leader’s health.
The 81-year-old lawmaker was led away but returned to the microphones a few minutes later. He told reporters he is “fine” and is able to do his job.
Hours later, McConnell emerged from his office, telling reporters he had spoken with President Joe Biden, who at 80 recently tripped over a sandbag while on stage at the Air Force Academy.
“The president called to check up on me and I told him I got sandbagged,” McConnell quipped.
The episode, which was caught on camera, comes just months after McConnell suffered a concussion and broken rib in a March 8 fall at a fundraiser in Washington, D.C. He was discharged from the hospital on March 25 but didn’t return to the Senate until mid-April.
McConnell’s spokesman David Popp refused to answer reporters’ questions on the Republican leader’s condition.
McConnell had been surrounded at the time by his leadership team. Senators Joni Ernst of Iowa and John Barrasso of Wyoming asked if he was OK as he stood frozen in place.
“You OK, Mitch? Anything else you want to say?” Barrasso asked. “Do you want to say anything else to the press?”
McConnell was ushered away by an aide while John Thune of South Dakota, the No. 2 Senate Republican, continued the news conference.
Democrats and independents aligned with the party have a slim 51-49 majority in the Senate. Any absence by McConnell wouldn’t affect partisan control of the chamber. If he were to leave the Senate during his term, Kentucky law requires a temporary replacement from the same party until there’s a new election in the heavily Republican state.
Earlier this year, McConnell became the longest-Senate party leader ever, surpassing the 15-year record held by Democrat Mike Mansfield for more than four decades.
In a Senate career extending more than three decades, McConnell rose to become a leading appropriator, chairman of Senate Republicans’ campaign committee and eventually Republican leader beginning in 2007.
When asked about the incident, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer responded, “I always wish Leader McConnell well.”
–With assistance from Amelia Davidson.
(Adds partisan balance of Senate in 10th paragraph)
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