WASHINGTON, July 26 (Reuters) - Top U.S. Senate Republican Mitch McConnell froze up for about 21 seconds while speaking to reporters on Wednesday, walking away only to return 12 minutes later to say he was "fine."
Senator John Barrasso asked McConnell, the longest-serving Senate party leader in history, before McConnell turned and walked away with the help of Barrasso, a physician.
McConnell, the minority leader, rejoined the press conference about 12 minutes later, saying, "I'm fine" and answering reporters' questions on other topics.
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) addresses reporters following the Senate Republicans weekly policy lunch at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., July 11, 2023.
McConnell's Democratic counterpart, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, said, "I always wish Leader McConnell well."
Persons:
Senate Republican Mitch McConnell, Mitch, John Barrasso, McConnell, Mitch McConnell, Kevin Wurm, Joe Biden, Dianne Feinstein, Ramsay Hunt, Biden, Barrasso, I've, Chuck Schumer, Richard Cowan, Moira Warburton, Josephine Walker, Katharine Jackson, Scott Malone, Leslie Adler
Organizations:
U.S, Senate Republican, Senate, Republicans, Capitol, REUTERS, Democratic U.S, U.S . Air Force Academy, Reuters, Republican, Democratic, Thomson
Locations:
Kentucky, Washington, Washington , U.S, Colorado