Mitch McConnell, 81, carried on with his Wednesday evening plans with Republican Rep. Jim Banks just hours after freezing up in public for the second time in the matter of a month.
The episodes come amid growing concern over McConnell’s health following multiple falls in recent years – including one that led to a concussion and broken ribs.
The House Minority Leader made a series of calls to Senate allies following the latest troubling appearance, in an apparent effort to assure them of his health and drum up support as worries circulate over his age and fitness to continue serving.
South Dakota Sen. John Thune’s spokesperson Ryan Wrasse confirmed to DailyMail.com that the Minority Whip spoke with McConnell and the Leader ‘sounded like his usual self and was in good spirits.’
A spokesperson for Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) did not confirm that a call took place between the senators, but said they were aware of reports that the two spoke.
McConnell told Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) that he is doing well when the two spoke after the incident on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the senator confirmed to DailyMail.com.
McConnell, first elected to the Senate in 1984, is the longest-serving party leader.
The latest has renewed calls for term limits in the House and Senate – even from those within the walls of Congress.
Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) said the limits would help restore ‘human decency’ for elderly politicians like McConnell and Democratic California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, 90, who is also suffering public health scares.
‘For goodness sake, the family, friends, and staff of Senators Feinstein and McConnell are doing them and our country a tremendous disservice,’ Phillips wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
‘It’s time for term limits for Congress and the Supreme Court, and some basic human decency.’
It doesn’t seem that the 30-second public freeze-up is being taken too seriously considering McConnell still met with Rep. Banks Wednesday evening.
‘Enjoyed a wide-ranging discussion with Leader McConnell this evening about the future of our country,’ Banks wrote in a tweet accompanied by an image of the two leaders sitting down together. ‘I look forward to working with him on issues confronting our bordering states.’
McConnell’s office said the Minority Leader was just feeling ‘lightheaded’ and assured he would consult a doctor as a precautionary measure.
The freeze on Wednesday came during a press conference in Kentucky when asked if he would run for Senate re-election in 2026.
Read More: Mitch McConnell, 81, meets Republican colleague hours after he froze for the second time