On Politics

Thu Jul 27 2023

Marina Pitofsky | NOW reporter

Hi OnPolitics readers. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., appeared to freeze during a press conference yesterday for about 28 seconds. It's prompting questions about the lawmaker's health.

A startling moment: McConnell was escorted away from the lectern at the press conference by his colleagues. The Republican leader was able to return to the presser and answer multiple questions.

But the incident came just months after McConnell suffered a concussion and a broken rib from a fall. And he's fallen at least two other times this year, including at a Washington, D.C. airport and during a foreign trip, a source close to the senator told USA TODAY's Phillip M. Bailey.

Earlier this month, the Kentucky official tripped and fell while getting off a plane at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. He also fell during a trip to Finland as part of a U.S. delegation. Thankfully, after both moments he was able to dust himself off and continue his schedule.

Other lawmakers who were part of the delegation told USA TODAY that McConnell's fall didn't affect any meetings with foreign officials.

"Absolutely not. We were all walking in together. It was a dimly lit room and there was a threshold that if I had been the first through, I'd have probably hit the floor," Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., told USA TODAY.

Keep reading: Mitch McConnell has fallen multiple times this year, uses wheelchair: What we know

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