Mitch McConnell freezes up during news conference for 2nd time this summer

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• Geoff Bennett:

  For the second time this summer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell froze up while answering reporter questions, this time during a press conference in Kentucky this afternoon.

  There was a similar moment for the senator on Capitol Hill last month.

  Our congressional correspondent, Lisa Desjardins, joins us now with more.

  So, Lisa, walk us through what happened today.

• Lisa Desjardins:

  Geoff, I think it best just to show what happened.

  The 80-year-old McConnell was speaking to reporters in Covington, Kentucky.

• question:

  What are your thoughts on running for reelection in 2026?

• Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY):

  What are my thoughts about what?

• question:

  Running for reelection in 2006?

• Sen. Mitch McConnell:

  Oh.

  (laughter)

• Sen. Mitch McConnell:

  That's…

• question:

  Did you hear the question, Senator? Running for reelection in 2026?

• Sen. Mitch McConnell:

  Yes.

• Lisa Desjardins:

  You can see there that the senator froze. And it was a total of at least 30 seconds where he was nonresponsive.

  Senator McConnell did go on to take a couple of questions. He gave very brief, just-a-few-word answers to those. Now, his office said that he felt dizzy and paused. That is exactly what he said, what the office also said in July, when there was that similar moment on Capitol Hill, where the senator paused after and froze after getting questions from reporters.

  Now, this office is known for its discipline, not a lot of information. I did hear from the office of the number two Republican in the Senate, John Thune. They told me Senator Thune spoke to Senator McConnell this afternoon and said he was his usual self — Geoff.

• Geoff Bennett:

  Lisa, McConnell is the longest-serving party leader in Senate history. And this incident is the latest to raise questions about the age and health of our elected leaders.

  Tell me more about that.

• Lisa Desjardins:

  That's right.

  A third of the U.S. Senate Geoff is over 70 years old. McConnell, at 80, is the fourth oldest. There are senators in their 80s, 89 and 90, including Dianne Feinstein, who had health problems this year as well. John Fetterman, senator from Pennsylvania, is younger, but he had a stroke that took him out of office for several weeks as well.

  Now, this is a place where seniority is power. And McConnell is the linchpin to many things that affect all of our lives. And he could also be critical in the next month, as we potentially face a government shutdown at the end of September.

• Geoff Bennett:

  Lisa Desjardins.

  Lisa, thank you.