Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell let it be known that he has no plans of stepping down after people were concerned about his health due to his recent freezing episodes.
“I have no announcements to make,” the 81-year-old explained to reporters on Wednesday about his future in the Senate. “I am going to finish my term as leader and I’m going to finish my Senate term.” The longtime Kentucky senator was reelected in 2020 to a term ending in 2027, according to NBC. Senate leadership elections occur every two years, and McConnell has led the Republican conference since 2007, most recently winning the endorsement of his colleagues last November. He was absent for several weeks earlier this year after suffering a concussion and fracturing a rib in a fall.
Dr. Brian Monahan released a letter on Tuesday that revealed McConnell showed “no evidence” that he suffered a seizure disorder, stroke, or Parkinson’s disease during the freezing episodes. “Occasional lightheadedness is not uncommon in concussion recovery and can also be expected as a result of dehydration,” Monahan said in a separate letter after the second episode.
As we previously reported, McConnell was seen on video freezing again during a press conference with reporters Covington, Kentucky. In the video that is currently surfacing the internet you can see McConnell freezing for nearly 30 seconds after being asked if he would run for re-election. When it became noticeable that McConnell had frozen again on Wednesday, an aide was seen coming up to him and asked, “Did you hear the question, senator?” McConnell continued to be unresponsive.
RELATED: Footage Shows Mitch McConnell Freezing Again During Press Conference In Kentucky
The same thing happened to McConnell back in July during a news conference on Capitol Hill where he went silent for about 19 seconds and then was quickly escorted away from the cameras.
McConnell’s most significant role came when he became the Senate Majority Leader after the 2014 midterm elections. As Majority Leader, he played a key role in shaping the Republican Party’s legislative agenda and priorities. He was known for his skilled parliamentary tactics and his ability to maintain party discipline. McConnell is known for his conservative political views, particularly on issues such as limited government, lower taxes, and a strong national defense. He has often advocated for these principles during his time in the Senate.