Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell appeared to freeze for about 30 seconds on Wednesday while speaking with reporters after a speech in Covington, Kentucky.
The incident is similar to an episode McConnell experienced at the US Capitol late last month and is likely to raise additional questions about the fitness of the 81-year-old to lead the Senate Republican caucus.
McConnell, R-Ky., froze in July at a news conference on Capitol Hill, going silent for 19 seconds, before he was escorted away from the cameras. McConnell, 81, returned shortly afterward and continued his news conference, telling reporters, “I’m fine.”
When it became apparent that McConnell had frozen again Wednesday, an aide went up to him and asked, “Did you hear the question, senator?” McConnell continued to be unresponsive.
McConnell then fielded two more questions. In response to a question about Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron's bid for governor to unseat Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, he said he thought it would be a "very close race." When asked about former President Donald Trump's indictment in Georgia he said he "wasn't going to comment on the presidential race." Both times, an aide repeated the reporters' questions for the senator.
According to McConnell spokesperson Stephanie Penn, the senator was feeling "momentarily lightheaded" during the news conference. A member of McConnell's office said he would consult a doctor before his next engagement.
At a weekly news conference in the U.S. Capitol in late July, Mitch McConnell appeared to suffer a similar incident. He froze mid-sentence for roughly 30 seconds and then was led away. He returned to answer more questions afterwards.
At the time, McConnell dismissed questions about whether the health scare was in any way connected to a concussion he suffered earlier this year when he fell at a political fundraiser.
A spokesman for McConnell said in a statement Wednesday that the Senate leader “felt momentarily lightheaded and paused during his press conference today,” NBC News reported.
An aide to McConnell added that while the senator “feels fine, as a prudential measure, the Leader will be consulting a physician prior to his next event,” per NBC.
Fresh questions about McConnell’s health arise at an especially fraught moment for Republicans in Congress, who hold a narrow majority in the House and 49 seats in the Senate.
Read moere
U.S. Open 2023:Venus Williams loss to Greet Minnen Fulham beat Tottenham , Tottenham out of English League Cup
Sarah H
Also on site :
- Third day of protests sees scattered violence, arrests, and firm resolve from federal authorities
- Stocks Rise on Hopes for China-US Talks; Dollar Weakens
- Colombian Presidential hopeful shot at Bogotá rally , Colombian president vows to hunt ‘mastermind’ behind the shooting