On Wednesday, July 26, 2023, during a regular press conference, Mitch McConnell experienced a momentary interruption while delivering his opening remarks. He paused and gazed ahead for approximately 20 seconds, prompting concerns about his well-being. When asked about his condition, he didn’t respond. An aide and Senator John Barrasso provided assistance, guiding him back to his office. After a brief period, McConnell returned to the press conference, and it was later disclosed by an aide that he had felt a brief bout of lightheadedness.
Following his return, McConnell reassured everyone that he was okay and proceeded with the press conference, addressing various questions. Concerns arose among many senators and attendees due to this momentary episode, particularly considering McConnell’s age of 81 years.
The incident occurred subsequent to McConnell’s fall in March, during which he sustained a concussion and a broken rib. However, there has been no evidence to suggest that he has been experiencing any issues related to the fall. Since returning to work in April, he has been fulfilling his duties as usual.
Senator John Kennedy commented that feeling a bit light-headed from time to time is a common experience that happens to everyone. Senator Barrasso highlighted that McConnell not only returned to the conference but also responded to a higher number of questions than usual. Additionally, Senator John Cornyn expressed his confidence in believing that McConnell is in good health.
After rejoining the conference, McConnell tackled various topics, covering subjects such as congressional spending and the potential impeachment of President Joe Biden. Regarding the latter, he emphasized that the nation should avoid a pattern of frequent impeachments as it is detrimental to the well-being of the country.
According to reports, President Joe Biden reached out to check on McConnell after his momentary episode. In response, McConnell humorously remarked that he had been “sandbagged,” alluding to a previous incident when President Biden stumbled over a sandbag at the US Air Force Academy Graduation. McConnell’s clear-headedness and good humor following the light-headedness and short break are encouraging signs that his health is indeed “fine”, as he affirmed.
