McConnell says he plans to serve his full term
WASHINGTON — Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has repeatedly said he is “fine” since he froze midsentence during a news conference Wednesday. And now his office is trying to tamp down speculation that he might not fill out his term as leader because of his health.
In a statement, his office said McConnell appreciates the continued support of his colleagues and “plans to serve his full term in the job they overwhelmingly elected him to do.”
The statement, first reported by Politico, comes after McConnell, 81, has suffered health problems in recent months.
At his weekly news conference, he froze and stared vacantly for 20 seconds before his GOP colleagues standing behind him grabbed his elbows and asked if he wanted to go back to his office.
He later returned to the news conference and answered questions as if nothing had happened.
When asked about the episode, he said he was “fine,” a statement he repeated in a hallway to reporters later that day. Neither McConnell nor his office would answer questions about whether he got medical help afterward.
The episode raised questions among colleagues on his health and also whether McConnell, first elected to the Senate in 1984 and has served as GOP leader since 2007, might soon step aside from his leadership post.
He was elected to a two-year term as leader in January by a large majority of his conference, despite an insurgent challenge from Florida Sen. Rick Scott. He would be up for re-election as leader again after the 2024 elections.
By then, he will have to decide also if he wants to run for another Senate term. He is up for re-election in 2026.