GOP Senator Mitch McConnell, 81, 'faceplanted' while getting off a plane this month and has fallen MULTIPLE times this year - amid 'neurological disorder' fears after he FROZE for 20 seconds yesterday
- Health scare raises fresh questions about McConnell's ability to do his job
- Republican Senate leader suddenly stopped talking and had to be walked away from the podium during his press conference Wednesday
- Reports reveal that he has fallen at least three times this year
Mitch McConnell fell multiple times in the weeks before he froze for 20 seconds at the Capitol on Wednesday and had to be helped by his colleagues.
The 81-year-old Republican Senate Minority Leader 'faceplanted' when getting off a plane at Washington's Reagan Airport just 12 days ago in one of a series of incidents raising concerns about his health.
McConnell joked about his worrying pause and insisted he was 'fine', but his office has not confirmed what caused the episode.
In addition to the plane incident, McConnell has fallen two other times this year, according to multiple reports, one of which resulted in a concussion and has led to speculation over whether he has been neurologically impacted by the spills.
The Minority Leader, a survivor of polio, made light of the recent health scare on Wednesday, saying he told President Joe Biden that he too had been 'sandbagged' after freezing mid-sentence.
Following multiple falls this year alone, concerns are rising over Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's fitness for office. The 81-year-old Republican suddenly stopped talking and had to be walked away from the podium during his press conference on Wednesday
Reports indicate that McConnell has fallen at least three times this year – and other questions regarding his neurological state are rising after he froze during his press conference
McConnell was speaking at his leadership briefing earlier when he stopped abruptly, unable to complete his sentence.
Aides later said McConnell had been feeling 'light-headed' prior to making his remarks.
But coming not long after he suffered a concussion from a fall, it raised fresh questions about his ability to do his job and the advanced age of so many of the nation's political leaders.
After the latest incident, McConnell was back on the Senate floor on Thursday afternoon for a speech where he attacked his Democratic colleagues for their 'reckless spending spree' and outsourcing for American business to foreign countries.
'Our Democratic colleagues sold their reckless spending spree as a 'Made-in-America Investment,' but the only thing it appears to be making in America is a mess,' he said.
The first fall this year, according to a new CNN report, happened in February while McConnell was in Helsinki with a U.S. delegation. The Kentucky Republican tripped and fell while getting out of his car on a snowy day as he was walking to meet the Finnish president.
Just days later in March, McConnell fell again at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Washington, D.C., leading to a concussion after hitting his head during the tumble.
He also broke some ribs at the hotel and was out of Congress for nearly six weeks recovering.
Now, just months after the concussion, questions are rising after the press conference debacle.
'There's been good bipartisan cooperation and a string of er ... ' McConnell said on Wednesday before stopping and staring into space as he shifted uneasily on his feet.
He stood frozen awkwardly for more than 20 seconds in front of the assembled cameras before colleagues stepped in to help.
Later, McConnell told reporters that the president had called to ask after his well-being.
He said he told Biden he had been 'sandbagged,' a reference to president's quip after stumbling over two sandbags at an Air Force Academy graduation in June.
McConnell's first spill this year with in February while he was in Helsinki meeting with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto (right)
A few days later in March of this year, McConnell fell at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington, D.C., which side-lined him from Congress for about six weeks as he recovered
McConnell, a survivor of polio, suffered a concussion and broken rib when he tripped and hit his head at the Waldorf Astoria
'Are you OK?' asked Sen. John Barrasso, a former orthopedic surgeon and the third most senior Republican in the Senate, as he took his arm. 'Anything else you want to say or should we just go back to your office?'
After a few moments, he guided McConnell away from the lectern towards his office.
Another GOP Senator John Thune carried on with the press conference, before McConnell returned and said: 'I'm fine'.
When a reporter asked if he felt he can fully do his job, McConnell said 'yes' and continued.
A McConnell aide later said that he felt 'light-headed' and stepped away for a moment.
'But he came back and was sharp for the Q and A,' added the aide.
McConnell's office did not offer any details about whether he would receive any further tests or treatments.
It comes months after he was released from hospital following a fall during dinner in Washington D.C.
In his response to reporters, McConnell made reference to the time when Biden said he had been 'sandbagged' after tripping over sandbags during a graduation ceremony
The top Republican in the Senate arrived for his leadership briefing as normal on Wednesday
But he stood frozen for 20 seconds as he tried to deliver his opening remarks in front of assembled reporters and cameras
Sen. John Barrasso helped him back to his office where he spent a few minutes recovering
He suffered a concussion and broken rib when he tripped and hit his head at the Waldorf Astoria and was admitted to hospital for treatment for a week.
He needed six weeks to recover.
'It's good to be back,' he said after returning to work. 'Suffice to say, this wasn't the first time being hard-headed has served me very well.'
He had polio during early childhood and has admitted that he sometimes has difficulty climbing stairs.
The latest episode will spark further questions about the growing number of politicians remaining in post even after the age of 80, when most people would have retired.
Joe Biden is already the oldest president in history and would be 86 if he wins next year's election and completes his second term.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, 90, says she will retire after the 2024 midterm election - but not before
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, 90, missed weeks away from Washington with shingles earlier this year.
Complications included encephalitis and she has struggled with memory issues. She has announced her retirement at the end of her term in 2025 but has said she has no intention of stepping down earlier despite frequent reports that she is no longer up to the rigorous demands if life in a divided Senate.
McConnell joined the Senate in 1985. He does not face re-election until the 2026 midterm elections.
The issue has forced its way into the 2024 campaign.
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley launched her run by calling for competency tests for politicians older than 75.
'In the America I see, the permanent politician will finally retire,' she said. 'We'll have term limits for Congress.
'And mandatory mental competency tests for politicians over 75 years old.'
