Senate Republicans were left concerned during a press briefing when Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) unexpectedly froze for nearly 20 seconds while delivering his opening statement. The incident raised murmurs of worry among his colleagues and the assembled press corps.
During the briefing, McConnell praised the Senate’s progress on the annual defense authorization bill and commended “good bipartisan cooperation.” However, he suddenly paused in the middle of a sentence, staring ahead without speaking further.
His colleagues reacted promptly, with Senate Republican Policy Committee Chairwoman Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Senate Republican Conference Committee Chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) checking on him. Barrasso, being a doctor, asked if McConnell was alright and offered to return to his office.
They eventually led McConnell down the hall toward his office, while the press conference continued with other members of the leadership team speaking.
Here is footage of when McConnell seemed to just stop mid-sentence pic.twitter.com/4o8xKdWiwc
— Acyn (@Acyn) July 26, 2023
The 81-year-old senator later returned to the press conference and answered reporters’ questions as usual.
CNN’s Manu Raju asked McConnell about the incident and whether it was related to a previous concussion he suffered earlier that year. McConnell reassured that he was fine and fully able to perform his duties.
McConnell had been hospitalized earlier in the year after experiencing a concussion in March, but he had since returned to work after a period of rehabilitation.
