Sen. McConnell says he plans to serve his full time period as chief regardless of questions on his well being

WASHINGTON — Senate Republican Chief Mitch McConnell has repeatedly stated he’s “nice” since he froze up midsentence throughout a press convention on Wednesday. And now his workplace is attempting to tamp down hypothesis that he may not fill out his time period as chief due to his well being.

In an announcement, his workplace stated McConnell appreciates the continued assist of his colleagues and “plans to serve his full time period within the job they overwhelmingly elected him to do.”

The assertion, first reported by Politico, comes after McConnell, 81, has suffered well being issues in latest months. At his weekly press convention, he froze and stared vacantly for about 20 seconds earlier than his GOP colleagues standing behind him grabbed his elbows and requested if he needed to return to his workplace. He later returned to the information convention and answered questions as if nothing had occurred.

When requested concerning the episode, he stated he was “nice,” an announcement he repeated in a hallway to reporters later that day. Neither McConnell nor his workplace would reply questions on whether or not he received medical assist afterward.

At the same time as McConnell tried to brush off the considerations, the episode raised new questions amongst his colleagues about his well being and likewise whether or not McConnell, who was first elected to the Senate in 1984 and has served as Republican chief since 2007, would possibly quickly step other than his management publish.

He was elected to a two-year time period as chief in January by a big majority of his convention, regardless of an rebel problem from Florida Sen. Rick Scott.

In March, McConnell suffered a concussion and a damaged rib after falling and hitting his head after a dinner occasion at a lodge. He didn’t return to the Senate for nearly six weeks. He has been utilizing a wheelchair within the airport whereas commuting forwards and backwards to Kentucky. And his speech has sounded extra halting in latest weeks.

However McConnell, famously reticent and sometimes personal about his private life and well being, has stated little or no about what’s going on.

Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota stated after Wednesday’s episode that McConnell’s job as chief requires extra transparency than it will for others.

“We should always discover out, you already know, pretty quickly what occurred and the way severe it’s,” Cramer stated. “However I don’t should let you know, Mitch can be, as a person, a fairly personal man. So we’ll see.”

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, stated he talked to McConnell on Wednesday evening and he appeared “robust and alert.” However he stated what occurred on the information convention on Wednesday was disturbing to observe.

“Mitch is robust, he’s cussed as a mule,” Cruz stated. “My prayers are with them. I hope that — we’re going into the August recess — I hope he has time to totally recuperate.”

GOP senators who’re seen as potential successors have been cautious of their method to questions.

“He’s nice, he’s again to work,” stated South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Senate Republican and one of many senators standing behind McConnell when he froze up.

“I assist Senator McConnell so long as he needs to function chief,” stated Texas Sen. John Cornyn, one other potential substitute.

Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, the No. 3 Senate Republican and a former orthopedic surgeon, guided McConnell again to his workplace to relaxation throughout the information convention. Afterwards, he advised reporters that he has been involved since McConnell was injured earlier this 12 months, “and I proceed to be involved.”

Barrasso then added: “I stated I used to be involved when he fell and hit his head a variety of months in the past and was hospitalized. And I believe he’s made a outstanding restoration, he’s doing an amazing job main our convention and was in a position to reply each query the press requested him right now.”

A number of different GOP senators projected confidence within the Republican chief.

“I do have faith in his management,” stated Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis. “At lunch yesterday, he spoke. He was utterly on his sport utilizing numbers that had been pulled out of his head and he was utterly with it. So I don’t know what precipitated the freeze, however he’ll watch out to judge his personal capabilities.”

Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall stated he was “a bit involved” after the information convention.

“He stated that he received a bit overheated, a bit dehydrated,” stated Marshall, who can be a physician. “That’s what it appears to be like prefer to me. I can let you know, he’s received a powerful, robust voice in our convention. He’s offering regular management. And I believe he’s doing an amazing job as chief.”

McConnell had polio in his early childhood and he has lengthy acknowledged some problem as an grownup in climbing stairs. Along with his fall in March, he additionally tripped and fell 4 years in the past at his house in Kentucky, inflicting a shoulder fracture that required surgical procedure.

The Republican chief carried on along with his full schedule after the episode on Wednesday. Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer stated he spoke along with his Republican counterpart at an occasion for Thursday night for Main League Baseball house owners.

“I stated I’m so glad you’re right here,” Schumer stated. “And he made an excellent speech.”

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Related Press author Lisa Mascaro and AP videojournalist Mike Pesoli contributed to this report.