WASHINGTON – Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell will continue serving as the top GOP leader in the lower chamber, his office said in a statement Friday, after fielding multiple questions about his health this week.
“Leader McConnell appreciates the continued support of his colleagues, and plans to serve his full term in the job they overwhelmingly elected him to do,” his office told USA TODAY, confirming an update first reported by Politico.
During a press conference Wednesday, the 81-year-old Kentucky Republican abruptly stopped speaking and stood silently for roughly 28 seconds. He was then escorted away from a lectern by his Republican colleagues.
A McConnell aide, who asked for anonymity in order to speak candidly, told USA TODAY the the Kentucky Republican, “felt light headed and stepped away for a moment.”When he came back to the press conference, McConnell was “sharp” the aide pointed out.
The episode comes four months after McConnell had suffered a broken rib and a concussion from a fall in March.
McConnell has fallen at least two other times this year — once at a Washington, D.C. airport on July 14 and another time during a foreign trip in February — a source close to the senator who is familiar with his work habits confirmed with USA TODAY.
A McConnell spokesperson declined to comment on the falls, but noted the GOP leader has still been walking around the Capitol for the past few months, delivering floor remarks and leading media stakeouts. As a safeguard he has been using a wheelchair in certain circumstances.
“This is simply a prudent and precautionary measure in a crowded area,” the McConnell spokesperson told USA TODAY.
This story will be updated.
