It is the second time in just over a month that the opposition leader of the US Senate, Mitch McConnell, has seemingly “frozen” in the middle of a sentence. The scene unfolded during a press conference on Wednesday when he was asked about his approach to running for re-election. The reporter had to repeat the question three times before Mitch McConnell fell silent and stood completely still.
According to American media, the Republican was said to have been speechless for approximately 30 seconds.
After a few seconds, however, the top politician was helped by an employee. 81-year-old Mitch McConnell was able to answer questions again soon after in his home state of Kentucky.
The 81-year-old has no plans to leave
Mitch McConnell has served in the Senate representing Kentucky since 1985. His current term expires in 2026.
After the previous similar occasion, Mitch McConnell said that he “plans to remain in office for the entire term”. He was away from work in the Senate for six weeks last spring after falling and suffering a concussion.
Biden has sought McConnell
US President Joe Biden is said to have tried to contact the 81-year-old politician on Wednesday.
“Mitch is a friend, as you know – no joke. I know people don’t believe us, but it is. We don’t always agree politically but he is a good friend and I will try to get in touch with him later this afternoon. I don’t know enough about the situation,” Joe Biden told reporters, writes CNN.