Top US Senate Republican Mitch McConnell freezes, leaves press conference
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Colleagues and aides helping Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell walk way from the microphones after freezing during a weekly news conference.
PHOTO: NYTIMES
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WASHINGTON – Top United States Senate Republican Mitch McConnell froze for about 21 seconds while speaking to reporters on Wednesday, walking away only to return 12 minutes later to say he was “fine”.
The 81-year-old Kentucky lawmaker began a regular scheduled press conference on Wednesday by talking about bipartisan cooperation on a massive defence funding Bill only to freeze for 21 seconds, standing still and staring straight ahead before his colleagues leaned in to ask if he was well.
“Are you OK, Mitch? Anything else you want to say or should we just go back to your office?“ Senator John Barrasso asked Mr McConnell, the longest-serving Senate party leader in history, before Mr McConnell turned and walked away with the help of Mr Barrasso, a physician.
Mr McConnell, the minority leader, rejoined the press conference about 12 minutes later, saying, “I’m fine” and answering reporters’ questions on other topics.
He batted away a question about who might succeed him in leadership.
A McConnell aide said that the senator had felt light-headed.
Mr McConnell, whose six-year term runs through 2026, had been sidelined from the Senate earlier in 2023 after he tripped at a Washington dinner on March 8
Many top figures in Washington are of advanced age, with President Joe Biden running for re-election at 80 and the average age in the Senate above 64.
Democratic US Senator Dianne Feinstein was sidelined for months in 2023 after a bout of shingles that caused complications including encephalitis and Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which can cause facial paralysis.
Mr Biden, the oldest person to ever occupy the Oval Office, in June tripped and fell during a graduation ceremony at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado, but got up quickly and walked back to his seat.
A majority of Americans, some 61 per cent, told a November 2022 Reuters/Ipsos poll that they were very or somewhat concerned that members of Congress are too old to represent the American people.
Mr Barrasso said that he had been concerned about Mr McConnell since his fall.
“I’ve been concerned since he was injured a number of months ago,” said Mr Barrasso, the No. 3 Senate Republican. “I continue to be concerned.”
Mr McConnell’s Democratic counterpart, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, said, “I always wish Leader McConnell well.” REUTERS
