July 26, 2023, 1:16 PM CDT / Updated July 26, 2023, 6:53 PM CDT
By Rebecca Shabad, Liz Brown-Kaiser and Frank Thorp V


WASHINGTON — Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell suddenly stopped speaking during a weekly Republican leadership news conference Wednesday afternoon, appearing to freeze, and then went silent and was walked away.

McConnell, R-Ky., had been making his opening remarks about an annual defense policy bill when he stopped talking. He was silent for 19 seconds. His Republican colleagues asked whether he was OK, and a top McConnell deputy, Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, a physician, escorted McConnell, 81, away from the cameras and reporters.

Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa made a hand gesture that initially appeared to resemble the sign of the cross. Her office later clarified that she was motioning for Senate Minority Whip John Thune of South Dakota.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWZBnWBNfBg


A few minutes later, McConnell walked back to the news conference by himself. Asked about his health, he said he was fine. Asked whether he is fully able to do his job, he said, "Yeah."

Asked about the episode, an aide pointed to McConnell’s saying, “I’m fine,” but the aide added that McConnell “felt lightheaded and stepped away for a moment.”

"He came back to handle Q&A, which as everyone observed was sharp," the aide said.

McConnell spoke to reporters briefly Wednesday night as he left the Capitol and said, "The president called to check on me."

"I told him I got sandbagged," he joked.

A White House official and a spokesperson for the senator confirmed that President Joe Biden and McConnell spoke by phone Wednesday.

McConnell tripped and fell March 8 after an event for the Senate Leadership Fund — a Republican super PAC aligned with McConnell and GOP leadership — at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington. He was hospitalized with a concussion and a minor rib fracture and was discharged March 13 before he entered rehab.

He didn't return to the Senate, however, until mid-April.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., told NBC News on Wednesday that he met with McConnell after the Senate GOP leadership news conference for a regularly scheduled meeting "to catch up on both houses."

"He was good," McCarthy said. "There was no concerns about his health in the meeting."

McConnell has served in the Senate since 1985. He isn't up for re-election until the 2026 midterm elections.


https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/watch-mitch-mcconnell-freeze-press-conference-rcna96486

It's really time to rest

The so-called Saner climes

This are d people calling Nigerian leaders old

If you want to see old politicians meet USA Legislatures, if you want to know if politics is carrier meet USA politicians, if you want to know if politics is family business meet USA politicians.

There you will see those who have been a Legislature for 4o years, there you will see those who succeeded their parents and children are ready to succeed them.

triple996:
This are d people calling Nigerian leaders old

At least they don't raise hands while singing their national anthem, they don't confidently spew bala blu gibberish and lastly, they don't lick microphone over there... hehehe

He should rest.

I’m sure if it’s Nigeria, this would have hit FP or better if the man is from China or Russia.
If he is from Russia or China, every media outlets out there, will called the man( Putin chef or Putin dance) that have refused to step down.

What’s the difference between the man and J.Biden, both are old and can’t move right.
Biden have fell more than 4 times since he is the president and yet he want to run for another term in the office.

Former USA rep speaker have been in Politics since the days of WW2 before she was defeated last year.