McConnell says he won’t step down as minority leader this Congress
Jack Birle
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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell says he will not step down from his role as Republican leader during this Congress.
McConnell, 81, had a health scare on Wednesday when he abruptly stopped his remarks at a press conference and froze up, leaving the press conference for a time before returning later and answering questions. McConnell’s office referred the Washington Examiner to statements in previous news reports.
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“Leader McConnell appreciates the continued support of his colleagues, and plans to serve his full term in the job they overwhelmingly elected him to do,” his office said.
The incident on Wednesday happened during a press conference where McConnell froze, looking straight ahead with a blank stare for 18 seconds. Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) then asked McConnell if he was OK before McConnell was escorted away by himself and an aide.
An aide said that McConnell “felt lightheaded and stepped away for a moment,” and continued by saying that, “He came back to handle Q&A, which, as everyone observed, was sharp.”
McConnell has insisted that he is “fine” after the brief freeze on Wednesday, but his recent health scare comes months after he was hospitalized with a concussion and had to be away from the Senate for an extended period of time. He has since returned and had done his duties as Republican leader as normal until the brief episode earlier this week.
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The Kentucky Republican faced his first ever challenge in a leadership vote last November when Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) vied for the GOP leadership position. McConnell won in a 37-10 vote but it had been the first time he had not won by acclamation.
With the recent challenge to his leadership and questions surrounding his health, McConnell’s future as Republican leader after 2024 looks uncertain.