(PatriotWise.com) — During last Wednesday’s weekly Senate Republican press conference, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell suddenly froze as he was giving his opening remarks, The Associated Press reported.
Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), a physician, then approached McConnell. After asking McConnell if he was okay and if he wanted to go back to his office, Barrasso then led him away from the podium and Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD) took over the press conference.
After a while, McConnell was able to return to the podium prompting reporters to ask him what had happened.
When asked if the freeze had anything to do with the concussion he sustained in a fall earlier this year, McConnell said he was fine. Another reporter asked if the minority leader was “fully able” to do his job, to which the 81-year-old McConnell replied, “Yeah.”
An aide to McConnell downplayed the incident, later telling reporters that the minority leader “felt lightheaded” and had to step away “for a moment.”
When speaking to reporters outside of his office Wednesday evening, McConnell revealed that President Biden had called to check on him. He joked that he told the president, “I got sandbagged,” referencing Biden’s recent fall after tripping on a sandbag at the US Air Force Academy graduation last month.
Senator Barrasso told reporters that he went to check on McConnell at his office to make sure he was all right. He said he had been concerned about McConnell given his previous concussion, but added that while he is a doctor, he isn’t McConnell’s doctor. Barrasso pointed out that McConnell was able to return to the podium and answer questions, adding “he was fine.”
While Senate Republicans all assured reporters that they stand behind McConnell remaining the leader of the Senate GOP, Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley added that he would like to know “what went wrong” during the press conference.
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