McConnell freezes mid-speech at US Capitol

(26 Jul 2023) RESTRICTION SUMMARY:   ASSOCIATED PRESS Washington – 26 June 2023 1. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-KY, walks to podium for Ohio Clock, begins to speak and then stops ANNOTATION: Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell briefly left a press conference on Tuesday after stopping mid-sentence and staring off into space for several seconds. ANNOTATION: McConnell, 81, was out of the Senate for almost six weeks earlier this year after falling and hitting his head. ANNOTATION: McConnell later returned to the press conference and answered questions from the press. Asked about what happened, McConnell said he was “fine.” STORYLINE: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell briefly left his own press conference on Tuesday after stopping his remarks mid-sentence and staring off into space for several seconds, appearing to be disoriented.   McConnell approached the podium for his weekly press conference and began speaking about the annual defense bill on the floor, which he said was proceeding with “good bipartisan cooperation.”   But he then appeared to lose his train of thought, trailing off with a drawn out “uh...” He then stared vacantly for around twenty seconds before his colleagues in Republican leadership, who were standing behind him and could not see his face, grabbed his elbows and asked if he wanted to go back to his office.   He did not answer, but slowly walked back to his office with an aide and Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, a former orthopedic surgeon who is the No. 3 Republican in the Senate. McConnell later returned to the press conference and answered questions from the press. Asked about what happened, McConnell said he was “fine.” He did not elaborate.    McConnell, 81, was out of the Senate for almost six weeks earlier this year after falling and hitting his head. His office later said he suffered a concussion and fractured a rib.  =========================================================== Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel 44(0)2074827482 Email: info@. Find out more about AP Archive: Twitter: Facebook: ​​ Instagram: You can license this story through AP Archive: