Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) unexpectedly froze up during a Republican leadership news conference on Wednesday, requiring colleagues to escort him away from the podium. McConnell, 81, trailed off in the middle of his remarks, stared blankly ahead, then briefly walked away with the help of fellow senators and an aide.
Addressing the annual defense policy bill making its way through the Senate, McConnell began to say that the Senate is “on a path to finishing the NDAA this week.” He continued that there has been “a lot of good bipartisan cooperation and a string of…,” suddenly falling silent and staring ahead unblinkingly for 20 seconds.
“Are you good, Mitch?” Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa could be heard asking.
Video: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell freezes during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol. pic.twitter.com/GZndPR6DvE
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) July 26, 2023
As McConnell was led away from the podium, South Dakota Senator John Thune, the caucus whip, took over the press conference. McConnell returned several minutes later, now walking on his own, and finished his remarks.
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In March, McConnell was hospitalized after a fall in a DC hotel left him with a concussion and a minor rib fracture. However, when asked if this contributed to his episode at the press conference, he replied “I’m fine.” His response to questions about whether he was fully able to do his job was a “Yeah.”
Q: "Could you address what happened here at the start of the press conference and was it related to your injury from earlier this year where you suffered a concussion?"
Sen. McConnell: "I'm fine."
Q: "You're fine? You're fully able to do your job?"
McConnell: "Yeah." pic.twitter.com/Can1RtzqmM
— CSPAN (@cspan) July 26, 2023
An aide later added that McConnell stepped away for a moment after he “felt lightheaded,” but is now doing fine.
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