Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell has frozen for the second time in just over a month while speaking to reporters. The 81-year-old paused for more than 30 seconds at a press event in Covington, Kentucky, after being asked whether he would run for re-election in 2026.
Aides attempted to prompt the senator, but it took several more seconds for him to recover. He then answered two more questions, which had to be repeated by staff, and made no comments about his health before leaving with aides.
A spokesperson later said Mr McConnell “felt momentarily lightheaded and paused during his press conference”. A staffer told the BBC’s US partner CBS News that the lawmaker “feels fine” but “will be consulting a physician prior to his next event”.
Mr McConnell’s first verbal lapse occurred at a press conference in Washington DC on 26 July, when he paused mid-sentence for about 20 seconds. He later told reporters he was “fine” and had felt “lightheaded”. The senator was admitted to hospital in March after a fall outside a Washington hotel caused a concussion and a fractured rib.
This latest episode raises fresh questions about Mr McConnell’s health as Congress faces a busy legislative session, including avoiding a partial government shutdown at the end of October. Some Senate Republicans have discussed forcing a “special conference” next week to discuss his future in leadership, though party leadership is not involved, according to Politico.
