Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was escorted away from cameras after freezing during a news conference. McConnell reportedly froze and remained motionless for several minutes, prompting concerns about his health. The incident occurred during a discussion on the infrastructure bill and raised questions about McConnell’s ability to handle the ongoing negotiations. McConnell’s team assured that he was fine and the situation was not a cause for alarm. Nonetheless, the incident drew attention to the physical and mental strain faced by political leaders in high-pressure situations and speculation about the implications for McConnell’s role in future legislative activities..
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.
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.
Asked by reporters how he was feeling, McConnell said, “I’m fine.” He did not directly answer what happened earlier in the day or whether he saw a doctor.
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.
Kate Santaliz and Mike Memoli contributed.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell experienced a momentary health issue during a weekly Republican leadership news conference. McConnell stopped speaking and appeared frozen and silent for 19 seconds before being escorted away by Sen. John Barrasso. McConnell later returned and stated that he was fine. He did not elaborate on what happened or whether he saw a doctor. McConnell had previously suffered a fall in March, resulting in a concussion and rib fracture. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy confirmed that McConnell’s health was not a concern during a subsequent meeting. McConnell has served in the Senate since 1985.
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