Mitch McConnell Freezes During Interview, Raising Concerns of Senate Minority Leader's Health

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell freezes for roughly 30 seconds while speaking to reports in Covington, Kentucky, the second time in the last month, raising concerns about the Republican's health condition.

The lawmaker's previous incident at the US Capitol late last month is expected to raise health concerns and bring into question McConnell's capability to lead the Senate Republican caucus.

Mitch McConnell Freezes

The incident on Wednesday happened immediately after a reporter asked the 81-year-old Senate Minority leader if he had plans to run for re-election in 2026. When McConnell asked the reporter to repeat the question several times, he chuckled momentarily before pausing, closing his mouth, and staring blankly ahead.

Then, he was asked by a woman at his side if he heard the question properly, and when McConnell did not respond, she said that they needed to take a minute. Additionally, a member of the senator's detail approached and spoke to him quietly before the Republican could whisper an answer to him, as per CNN.

Later, a spokesman for McConnell said that the Senate Minority leader "felt momentarily lightheaded and paused during his press conference." An aide for the Republican added that he felt fine but was still consulting a physician before his next event.

McConnell, the leader of the Senate Republican caucus since 2007, has faced multiple questions regarding his health throughout the year. In March, he was treated for a concussion and fractured rib following a fall at a Washington Hotel. Several weeks after that, he returned to the White House.

During a news conference on Capitol Hill in late July, the Republican froze for roughly 30 seconds. At the time, his office said that McConnell felt lightheaded, similar to what was said during the latest incident. Later, Republican lawmakers said that the Senate Minority leader was dehydrated.

Raising Health Concerns

The questions regarding McConnell's health come as the busy autumn legislative session approaches and as Congress is trying to avoid a partial government shutdown that is set to occur at the end of October if lawmakers are unable to agree on a solution, according to BBC.

Sen. John Thune's aide, Ryan Wrasse, said that he spoke with McConnell following the incident, saying that the Republican sounded like his usual self and was in good spirits. On Wednesday, United States President Joe Biden said that while he and McConnell have their disagreements, he called him a good friend and was planning to contact him.

Republicans are not the only ones fielding concerns regarding their health and fitness to serve in Congress. The House and Senate are older today, with a median age of 59, compared to any point in modern history.

In the Democratic Party, Sen. Dianne Feinstein caused concerns for her health after she was away from Washington three months earlier this year. CNBC said that she was recovering from shingles and that her disappearance left her party down a vote in the Senate.