McConnell promises to finish his term as senator
His term as the Republican Party leader in the Senate expires after the 2024 elections, but his duties as senator remain for a few more years.
(Cordon Press)
On Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell faced numerous questions about his health and plans to retire. However, the Kentucky senator made it clear that he intends to end his term.
After McConnell became paralyzed again during a press conference last week, many concerns were raised about the senator's health. In fact, after the incident, some Republican senators met to discuss the future of the GOP leadership in the upper house and the possibility that McConnell would not be able to continue with his duties.
However, on Wednesday, when reporters asked the Senate minority leader if he had plans to retire soon, he said he intends to continue his work until January 2027, when his responsibilities as a senator expire.
"I have no announcements to make on that subject. I am going to finish my term as leader and I’m going to finish my Senate term," he promised.
McConnell did not answer further questions about his health and noted that the attending physician for Congress, Dr. Brian Monahan, has already "covered the subject."
Monahan said Tuesday that he performed several medical evaluations on the senator including a brain MRI, and a comprehensive neurological evaluation, among others.
"There is no evidence that you have a seizure disorder or that you experienced a stroke, TIA or movement disorder such as Parkinson’s disease," Dr. Brown said.
Monahan added in his letter that no changes were needed to the senator's health treatments.
The Senator's Episodes
The senator has frozen twice this summer. The first time occurred in July while McConnell was talking about the National Defense Authorization Act. The senator stood motionless in front of the microphone for more than 20 seconds and had to be escorted off the podium by two of his colleagues.
Last week, the Senate minority leader was again paralyzed before the press after a reporter asked the senator if he planned to run for re-election in 2026. This time the Republican was silent for about 15 seconds.
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