Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) appeared to have difficulty speaking during a press conference in Kentucky on Wednesday and froze up for about 30 seconds when he was asked if he would run for reelection, the second such incident this summer.
At first, the Senate Republican leader acknowledged the question but trailed off and stopped speaking. An aide stepped in and asked if he had heard the question. McConnell responded “yes” but continued to freeze. This prompted the aide to say, “We’re going to need a minute.”
DESANTIS SHOWCASES ABILITY TO GOVERN WITH HURRICANE RESPONSE
The senator appeared to regain his composure and then briefly answered two additional questions after aides stepped in to repeat questions from reporters and then led him away.
BREAKING NEWS: Sen. Mitch McConnell appearing to have another scary episode in the media gaggle in Covington today. Aides had to step in to help him out and repeat questions. He was eventually lead away. We’ll have the full video on @WLWT pic.twitter.com/q9ex5MHxLV
— Hannah Thomas (@HannahPThomas) August 30, 2023
The press gaggle came after McConnell gave a lengthy speech to the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Government Forum and took questions at the end without any problems.
“Leader McConnell felt momentarily lightheaded and paused during his press conference today,” a McConnell aide told the Washington Examiner.
While McConnell “feels fine,” he will be “consulting a physician prior to his next event,” the aide said.
JUST IN – McConnell aide said the Seante Minority Leader felt momentarily lightheaded and paused during press conference and while he feels fine, he will be consulting a physician prior to his next event.
— Samantha-Jo Roth (@SamanthaJoRoth) August 30, 2023
Questions about McConnell’s health come as Republicans in Congress hold 49 seats in the Senate, one or two shy of a majority depending on which party controls the vice presidency.
In late July, the minority leader was escorted away from Senate Republicans’ weekly press conference after appearing to have difficulty speaking.
Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), who is a physician, approached McConnell to ask if he was OK and escorted him from the podium. The senator returned to answer questions and told reporters he was “fine.”
At the time, McConnell declined to take questions on his absence beyond telling reporters he felt “fine.” An aide for the minority leader told the Washington Examiner he got “lightheaded.”
The White House was asked about McConnell’s episode at Wednesday’s press briefing.
“I haven’t spoken to the president, so I don’t know if he’s aware of this. … And just to step back on your question about Sen. McConnell: Clearly, we wish him well, a speedy recovery,” press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. “As you know, the two of them have worked together and have known each other for some time. But I can’t speak to a call or conversation. I just haven’t asked the president about that.”
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McConnell, 81, was hospitalized earlier this year after suffering a fall that required him to complete physical therapy. He experienced a concussion and a minor rib fracture.
McConnell was hospitalized in 2019 after fracturing his shoulder from a fall on his patio at home.
