Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) 81, suddenly stopped speaking during a news conference on Wednesday afternoon and had to be led away by his colleagues.
McConnell was in the middle of his remarks about the annual defense authorization bill before he stopped mid-sentence and just stared straight ahead for about 30 seconds.
McConnell’s colleagues then crowded around to see if he was OK and asked him how he felt.
“Are you good, Mitch?” Senate Republican Policy Committee Chairwoman Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), asked.
“Are you okay, Mitch?” Senate Republican Conference Committee Chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), a physician, asked. “Hey Mitch, anything else you want to say? Or should we just go back to your office? Do you want to say anything else to the press? Let’s go back.”
McConnell did not respond and was led away from the press conference.
McConnell later walked back to the news conference by himself. When asked about his health, he said he was fine, according to CNN.
An aide said that McConnell “felt lightheaded and stepped away for a moment.”
“He came back to handle Q&A, which as everyone observed was sharp,” the aide said.
